The stained glass that shattered was a hexagram, most commonly recognized as the Star of David. But this symbol was never a uniquely Jewish symbol. In fact, the compound of two equilateral triangles was used in Christian churches as a decorative motif many centuries before its first known use in a Jewish synagogue.

Only later did the symbol become representative of the worldwide Zionist community, when the Jewish community chose it as the central symbol on a flag at the first Zionist Congress in 1897. The Presbyterian Church was built here in Gallatin in 1881 — just a few weeks before outlaws Frank & Jesse James robbed the train over at Winston.

One of the original purposes of stained glass windows was to instruct Christians in their faith. The tradition harkens back to the beginning of the 12th century when Abbot Suger designed the great Gothic church at the abbey of Saint-Denis in France. He once wrote:

“The pictures in the windows are there for the sole purpose of showing simple people who cannot read the Holy Scriptures what they must believe.”

The stained glass shattered here was not as grandiose as Abbot Suger’s original intent but it certainly added beauty to the church, even inspiring the viewer when God’s light shimmered through to pierce darkness.

There are, of course, many stained glass windows found in churches throughout Missouri. Gallatin’s United Methodist Church recently replaced protective panes, making its distinctive stained glass windows attractive even from the outside. Stained glass at First Baptist Gallatin is more modern in design (although an outstanding stained glass mural of Jesus retained from the 1911 church building is displayed in the fellowship hall).

Jameson’s Christian Church and the Christian Church at Old Pattonsburg also feature stained glass windows, and there are other local examples.

The small congregation that comprises the Presbyterian congregation today belies its prominence during the past. For instance, when gas lamps came to Gallatin in 1885, the Presbyterian church corner was one of the six sites selected by the city for public illumination.

When Gallatin Baptists planned to construct their first church building (Kenney Chapel, west of today’s Shopko), they were holding their meetings at the Presbyterian Church.

From 1843 until the Civil War, members of the Christian Church met regularly in the courthouse. But when the Yankees took military control of the courthouse, the Presbyterians and the Methodists allowed the Christian church members to worship in their church buildings until a large frame Christian Church was built in 1866.

Stained glass adds class to any place of worship. There is something majestic about these works of art. Sometimes the design tells the stories of saints and sinners, of murderers and martyrs. Even the plain panes harken back to quiet times (Isaiah 30:15).

It is nobody’s fault that our town has suffered such a loss; who can predict the wind? It’s solid wood replacement tells a story, too, of good neighbors who stopped one project to quickly perform the repair — and handsomely, too.

We are fortunate that the real church is not made of bricks and mortar, and that its significance is not measured by the number of names on the roll or the amount of dollars put into a collection plate.

Still, the shattered glass is a reminder for us all about other prized structures around this town we call home. Sometimes demise comes slowly; other times quickly. But either way, unless there’s significant investment or cash on hand for repair or replacement, when it’s gone …it’s gone.

And how quickly we forget.

To be honest, I had to dig into my old photo files to remember the design of the circle of stained glass at the Presbyterian Church I drive by nearly every day of the week. How ’bout you?