The Stained Glass Window Story
at St. Anastasia
The stained glass windows in our parish were designed by Sister Genevieve Underwood, R.S.H.M. (Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary) and were funded by families of the parish. The names of those families are inscribed on a memorial plaque in the vestibule of the church. Sister Genevieve was a long time artist and teacher of studio arts and art history at Loyola Marymount University in Westchester. Her art work graces many churches, hospitals and schools across Southern California including at LMU and St Anastasia here in Westchester. Awarded the Benemerenti Medal for serving the Church with distinction by Pope Saint John Paul II in 2000, Sister Genevieve passed away in 2021 at the age of 96.
The windows were manufactured by the Stained Glass Studio of James K. Piechowski of Venice, California and installed as part of the St Anastasia church renovation in 1989-1990, The studio’s work can be found in many Catholic churches in Los Angeles. The windows have been repaired for ease of opening and closing in recent years.
Creation is the theme running through all the windows.
The design is abstracted or stylized. The first windows placed in the sanctuary are very abstract. The second two windows take on different forms similar to the first windows but with the addition of leaves as a sign of new life. The remaining sixteen windows portray nature in its ever moving beauty. The stained glass is imported, full hand blown German and French antique. It has unique textures, bubble content and a wider range of color and shading to bring life and movement into these windows.
The Kingdom Window in the choirloft is a burst of color and movement expressing the power and the glory of our God.
How to Experience the beauty
of Southern California
One of the best ways to observe the 16 Creation windows is to stand in the center of the aisle in the middle of the nave and look at each window. You will realize that you are standing in the middle of a map of Southern California and beyond. One way to experience this is to face the altar and look at the farthest window on your left, before the Infant of Prague. Then slowly look at each illustration in a counterclockwise fashion.
Orange County
Window 1
The orange groves of Orange County
San Bernadino
Window 2
The fall foliage of the San Bernadino National Forest
St. Gorgonio Mountain
Window 3
San Gorgonio Mountain
Big Bear
Window 4
Big Bear Lake and Mountains
San Gabriel
Window 5
San Gabriel Mountains
Morning Sun
Window 6
The morning sun coming up over the high desert
Mt. Whitney
Window 7
Mount Whitney and the Eastern Sierra
San Joaquin Valley
Window 8
The fruitful San Joaquin Valley and its farms
The South Bay
Window 9
The fields and flowers of Orange County and the South Bay
Torrance & PV
Window 10
The familiar curve of Torrance Beach and the Palos Verdes
The Pacific
Window 11-15
The mighty Pacific, with fish, stars, seas, moons and planets.
God's Promise
Window 16
Tropical Hawaii and the rainbow of God’s promise
