Major events from the Bible and Jesus' life are reflected in several new stained glass windows at St. Luke's United Methodist Church.
"The stained glass images will honor the memories of longtime members of the church," said the Rev. Dr. Don Lewis.
Church members have been working for about three years to raise money to pay for the project, Lewis said.
"The stained glass project is something members have dreamed about for years. They never had the money until now," he said.
He declined to report how much the project will cost.
"The people are important and not how much it cost," Lewis said. "The congregation worked hard to pay for the project. It changes the appearance inside the church."
A studio out of Fredericksburg, Texas, manufactured the windows, which Lewis refers to as works of art.
Before this project began, the church had one circular, stained glass rose window above the choir area. It was installed in 1955 when the church was constructed on Main Street in honor of a young man who had died.
This week, the church's conversion from clear windows along the sanctuary's sides was completed as the final stained glass windows were installed in the west side. The stained glass windows were installed on the building's east side four or five months ago, Lewis said.
Biblical stories depicted in the windows include Jesus and the children, The Garden of Eden, Noah and the Ark, Moses and the Ten Commandments, Ruth, David and Goliath, the Nativity, the Resurrection and the Holy Spirit.
The new stained glass windows, like the church's rose window installed in 1955, will honor church members who have died, and in some cases current members.
"It will be a lasting memorial to the leaders of the church. It will make you feel better and really changes the atmosphere inside the church," said Lewis, adding the stained glass sets the mood for worship.
A dedication for the church's stained glass windows will be held at the 10:45 a.m. service April 28. All are welcome.
The church is at 3501 Main St. in Texarkana, Texas.
The church's history dates back to 1940 when it was located on Wood Street. When that church burned, rebuilding efforts occurred at the present site.