Here is an exceprt from his upcoming book, reproduced here with his permission:
Continuing to move west along the north wall of the nave is The Baptism Window. This window is a 1956
memorial donated by the Warriner family to Charles Friend Warriner (1855-1920) and Nathalie King
Warriner (1863 - 1951). In the predella is the shell symbol of a baptism accompanied with The Alpha &
Omega. The three center panels are a scene of John baptizing Jesus with people watching. Also viewed is
the descending dove of The Holy Spirit. The 2 panels on the left depict Christ learning in the temple
and working as a carpenter. The 2 panels on the right show the temptation of Satan[1] and Christ teaching.
The predella in this scene shows the saints: St John with the poisoned chalice. Saint John the Evangelist
is depicted holding a chalice, an allusion to his being put to the test by the high priest of the Temple
of Diana at Ephesus.[2]. The high priest said to him: "If you want me to believe in your god, I will give
you some poison to drink and, if it does not harm you, it means that your god is the true God." St James
the Less with a book, St Andrew with an X shaped cross, and St. Peter with the Keys to the Kingdom. St Matthew
with a Gospel, St. Philip with a book of teaching text and a shaft, and St. Bartholomew is shown with a
knife, symbolizing he was martyred by being skinned alive!
This window is one of the largest windows in the cathedral.
-Reed Dearing
Senior Docent
St. Johns Cathedral
[1] It is believed this is the only depiction of the Prince of Darkness in St John's Cathedral
[2] In aged art and stained glass, St John is many times depicted holding the poisoned cup