American Chapel Windows, The Window of The Crusaders, The Window of Friendship and Peace.

The Window of "The Crusaders"

But they that worship the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." The Book of Isaiah, Chapter 40, Verse 31.

During World War II the American 386th Bomb Group, known as The Crusaders, "mounted up with wings as eagles" flying some 263 missions from nearby Easton Lodge airfield against Nazi targets in Europe. Nearly 200 Crusaders were lost to enemy action and many more were wounded or taken prisoner. This "Window Of The Crusaders" depicts some of the daily activities of the men of the 386th Bomb Group during the thirteen months they were stationed near this church.

The triumph of the fight for God and Right is the central theme of this window. High in the center lancet is a figure of Christ. Above him in the left center tracery is the Banner of Victory, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. To its left is the American Eighth Air Force emblem and the American decoration, The Distinguished Flying Cross. The right center tracery has a blunted sword, the symbol of mercy, with the superimposed victors wreath. To the right is the American Ninth Air Force emblem and the Air Medal.

The lower portion of the left lancet shows a group of airmen in front of a B-26 Marauder aircraft, perhaps as they prepare for a mission. At the top of the left opening is a group of five Marauders under flak attack. The "Missing Man" formation reminds us of those who did not return. In continuation of this thought, the figure at the left of the group of fliers is an actual portrait of a fallen comrade.

The lower center of the window shows vehicles and men of the dedicated ground crew. The ambulance reminds us of the many wounded airmen. Behind them are crossed runways of the airfield and the control tower. At the far right an airman stands with map case, helmet and life vest, ready for the mission. Faintly seen behind him are two earlier Crusaders with Christian banners expressing the continuity of the fight for Right. At the top of this lancet coming in from the right are four B-26 Marauders in flight representing the four squadrons of the 386th. British Spitfires and American P-47 Thunderbolt fighter aircraft escort them towards the target.

Although a strong, dynamic and determined figure of Christ is flanked by implements of war, His outstretched arms over both modern and ancient Crusaders link them in the love of God and the fight for Right.


The Window of Friendship and Peace

During World War II, in September of 1943, the United States Air Force's 386th Bomb Group, "The Crusaders", arrived with their B-26 Marauder aircraft at a newly constructed airfield on the grounds of Easton Lodge, just a few hundred yards from this church. This "Window of Friendship and Peace" recalls in vignettes and symbols the special relationship of mutual support, friendship, and lasting respect that developed between the American airmen and the people of the villages of Little Easton and Great Dunmow during the thirteen months the Crusaders flew missions from the nearby airfield.

The left lancet shows an American airman in conversation with a British Royal Air Force flying officer suggesting the close co-operation that existed between the two forces, both in the air and on the ground. Royal Air Force Spitfires provided fighter escort and protection for Crusader bombers on many missions. The right opening depicts an American airman with local villagers expressing the close off duty ties with nearby communities. Easton Lodge is depicted in the background and is superimposed upon a globe representing the universal nature of the conflict and the ensuing peace.

The larger left tracery shows a dove with an olive branch, symbolizing the Holy Spirit and Peace. The right tracery shows an eagle in flight, a reference to the biblical theme of the west window, "they shall mount up with wings as eagles." The two American military decorations depicted are the Purple Heart, awarded to those who were wounded in action, and the European Victory Medal.

At the lower left, two hands are clasped in friendship, one British and one American. The oak tree at the lower right calls to mind the many beautiful oaks or, ~ the grounds of Easton Lodge that had to be destroyed in order to construct the airfield. The oak tree is also a symbol of strength and fortitude, two virtues much called upon by both civilians and fighting men during the difficult pre-victory days of World War II.

This "Window of Friendship and Peace" and the "Window of the Crusaders" to the left are dedicated to the nearly 200 airmen of the American 386th Bomb Group who lost their lives during the conflict, and to the enduring friendship and support The Crusaders experienced while stationed here during World War II. These windows were dedicated in October of 1990.


The American Memorial Chapel, which is the home of the Window of the Crusaders and the Window of Friendship and Peace, is located in the Parish Church of the tiny hamlet of Little Easton, three miles northwest of the village of Great Dunmow in Essex, England. The area was once part of the Great Forest of Essex which stretched from Northeast London almost to Thaxted.

The present Church is of Norman origin, built during the Norman Conquest (1066 A.D.) probably on the site of a former Church of the Saxon era (300-400 A.D.) There is reason to believe that the site was at one time occupied by a Roman Fort or look-out tower as there are signs of Roman brickwork visible in the outside walls.

The present Church tower is from the 15th century. The Nave was begun in the first half of the 12th century. On the North wall of the Nave above the babtismal font is the Roll of Rectors which lists all the known rectors of the church. Also on the North wall is a memorial to the 5th Earl of Warwick of Easton Lodge and a wall painting of the Royal Coat of Arms of King Charles II bearing the date 1660. On the South wall eight frescoes depict scenes from our Load's Passion, probably painted in the 15th century and restored in 1934. The Chancel was rebuilt and enlarged in the 13th century. The East window above the Altar was placed as a memorial to the last Viscount Maynard (1786-1865). The choir stalls and gradine on the Altar were hand carved by the head carpenter of Easton Lodge, George Henry Pryer (18631954).

The Bourchier Chapel was originally built in the 15th century for the Bourchiers of the Manor of Estaines and rebuilt and enlarged in the 17th century for the Maynards of Easton Lodge. The stained glass windows set into the South wall were originally in the private Chapel in Easton Lodge in 1621. After a severe fire at Easton Lodge in 1847, the windows were moved to the Church. The wrought iron gate and railings dividing the Chapel from the Chancel were once at Easton Lodge and were given by the last Viscount Maynard after the fire of 1847.

On the outside of the Maynard Chapel railings, to the West of the gate, is a bronze memorial to actress Dame Ellen Terry (1848-1928) who regularly visited the village and often performed in Lady Warwick's theater now known as The Barn Theater. The memorial was sculpted by Alfred Gilbert who also sculpted the statue of EROS in Picadilly Circus.
The Organ Chapel, which is now renamed the American Memorial Chapel and is the site of the new Crusader windows, was built in 1881. The pipe organ, which is still in use, was the gift of Lady Warwick of Easton Lodge (1891). Douglas Phillips designed and crafted the stained glass windows being dedicated today. Mr. Phillips, who lives in Cleveland, Ohio, is an internationally known Artist, Designer and Lecturer. A graduate of the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Art and Syracuse University where he majored in Portrait and illustration, Douglas founded his Phillips Stained Glass Studio over 35 years ago. The studio developed an early reputation in museum quality restoration and expanded rapidly into all disciplines of stained glass and mosaic art technique. His extensive portfolio of commissions ranges from classic through contemporary. Although he has won awards in craftsmanship, exhibition, design and lighting, he feels strongly that his most important mission with each commission is to create a genuine work of art rather than just a decorative piece. He has stated that the 386th commission for the Crusader windows has been an important highlight in his extensive career.

Harry Guinther, who flew 55 missions as a radio operator and waist gunner on the 555th crew of the B-26 "Swamp Angel" served as the project director for the 386th Bomb Group Association on the Chapel stained glass window endeavor. The project took nearly three and one half years from the original dedication of the American Memorial Chapel in June or 1987. He states that the most memorable elements of the project were: 1-The genuine interest and strong financial support of the members of the Crusader Association. 2-The spirit of cooperation and dedication of all the artisans of the Phillips Stained Glass Studios. 3-The substantial contribution of valuable services from certain well known "outsiders" who must remain anonymous. 4-The patient understanding of his wife, Virginia, who offered constant support as the project became nearly a full time task in recent months.



Comments on the Windows of the American Chapel

The stained glass window designs of the American Chapel in the Parish Church of Little Easton make a statement about a time and a group of men who were of one country and their experiences in, and their relationships with, the people of another. They will be an inspiration to future visitors in the Chapel as well as a lasting remembrance for the veterans of the 386th Bomb Group Association for which the windows were commissioned.

The windows are designed to have three distinct levels of perception. The first level of perception is that of color. This is the initial effect that occurs when one first views the windows. It is the instant impact one feels when light is changed into color before any figures or symbols become apparent.

As we study the windows further, we become aware of the larger figures and symbols. This is the second level of perception which affords a growing awareness of the fundamental concept of the statement made by the windows. The third level of perception covers the smaller details that amplify the design and lasts an indefinite time during repeated visits. Some of these may be recognized only after study over a period of time. Accordingly, no matter how short the time a viewer has to see the windows or how many return visits a person makes, the results will always be rewarding.

With further reference to the first perception, color, the basic colors of the windows have been used in a liturgical sense. The north window, "The Window of Friendship and Peace" has a burst of gold in its center which is framed with tones of blue. Reds, greens and violets add accents. The west window, "The Window of the Crusaders" has a field of blue with rhythmic movements of gold's and reds. Green and violet are used as accents.

In a liturgical sense, the color gold and golden yellow expresses the idea of celebration and joy. It also symbolizes God's goodness and Glory. Blue is the symbol of faith, of faithfulness and of truth. Green expresses hope, new life and the Trinity season. Red is the color of love, of sacrifice and of the Holy Spirit. Violet is the symbol of penitence, Christ's Passion and of Advent. These colors form simple underlying abstract patterns in each window. The color patterns move across the mullions in rhythmic shapes, forming a counterpoint to the vertical architecture of the Gothic style encasements. Additional colors are added by the various subject vignettes and symbols. These additional colors blend with and in some instances, contrast with the background colors, creating new patterns.

The specific design for each window (the larger figures one becomes aware of in the second level of perception) is drawn from it's basic theme. In the north window, "The Window of Friendship and Peace", figures show the relationship between the 386th airmen and the people of the surrounding communities. The west window, "The Window of the Crusaders" focuses on the modern World War II Crusaders of the 386th Bomb Group and shows their relationship with the Crusaders of earlier centuries. The triumph of the fight for God and Right is a central theme of this window.

It should be remembered that this war, World War II, was indeed considered a fight of Good against Evil. Although little was known of the Holocaust at the time, there was enough information about persecution, treachery and oppression for the issues to be clear.

The smaller details of the third level of perception present an ongoing account of that moment in history in this particular place. Note for instance in "The Window of Friendship and Peace" the almost ghostly view of Easton Lodge, a landmark which now exists only in the memories of those who were there. In "The Window of the Crusaders" look for the faint rendition of the no longer existent control tower near the crossed runways, or the wrench yielding mechanic within the cluster of 386th ground crew in the lower center lancet.

These two stained glass windows have been designed as unique works of art for the American Chapel of the Parish Church of Little Easton. They express traditional values in a contemporary form with their luminescent brilliance a result of extracting maximum value from light and color.

Contemporary Windows in a Medieval Church?

The question could be raised as to whether it is appropriate to install contemporary stained glass windows in a church that was built mainly between the 12th and 15th centuries. In considering this issue, much thought was given as to whether modern windows depicting both warriors and civilians along with fighting machines of a 20th century war would seem out of place in the Gothic style encasements of an ancient church.

Project director Harry Guinther and artist Douglas Phillips had serious reservations about trying to design medieval style windows in order to tell a twentieth century story. To do so would probably have meant utilizing a selection of Biblical themes in order to symbolize in somewhat abstract terms what we wanted to say. Our decision was that we could best tell our story in a straight forward, contemporary design, simple in concept, direct in approach and dramatic in presentation.

We noted that ever since Gothic churches and cathedrals have been built, both in Britain and on the Continent, worshippers have installed stained glass windows designed according to the tastes and styles of their times. Many of the medieval stained glass windows that were destroyed on the Continent during World War II have since been replaced with windows done in a contemporary manner. We were also influenced by the historical reality that art created in one period to reflect or imitate the styles of an earlier period, usually fails.

Our decision to express our story in the style and values of our own times, follows the highest precedents.

Note: Harry Guinther furnished the American Chapel Window photos and caption data. He was a Tech Sergeant radio operator in the 555th Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group. He flew with the Lieutenant Robert Kingsley crew. May 27, 1944 they were flying their plane, "SWAMP ANGEL" 296100 YA-O on a bombing mission to the Maison Laffitte Railroad Bridge, located in the western suburbs of Paris, France.

Their ship was suddenly engulfed in flak causing the left engine to catch fire-the engine was nearly torn from its mountings and hung at an odd angle with its propeller wind milling. The crew bailed out, except for the pilot Lieutenant Kingsley who continued to fly the plane as it entered into flat spin; he was killed in the ensuing crash! The plane struck the ground in Herblay, just west of Paris where it exploded at 2049 hours.
Upon landing with his parachute Harry Guinther was thoroughly beaten by five French civilians until some German soldiers arrived and took him away, thus making him a POW. Near the end of the war he managed to escape from his captors. Later he was picked up by some Russian soldiers, and eventually returned to U.S. Control. He flew a total of 55 air combat missions.

Chester P. Klier
Historian, 386th B.G. Historian