Stained Glass ‘Window’ Hanging
Our stained-glass art window was designed for Don Heights Unitarian Congregation by our ‘Furnish and Finish Committee’. Tom Smylie, Toronto-based stained glass artist and musician, incorporated our vision representing a membership that is democratic, sociable, life-affirming and optimistic. The stained glass colours are light and animated; the forms flowing and organic.
The piece is somewhat abstract, but suggests the heads and arms of people in active, colourful close-ups, reaching out to each other. Three smaller windows have been rescued from the confines of a closet and these are to be included along with new pieces by member Emily Lister.
Our southeast window admits morning sunlight and casts a colourful but diffused image onto the floor of our meeting space – both a puzzle and a delight to viewers.
Tom and his brother have their own company and continue to craft custom glass art, which can be viewed at The Glass Studio
Artist Tom Smylie at the dedication ceremony for the Don Heights Stained Glass Window
Our ‘Roots’ Quilt
For the roots, Artist Helena Wehrstein asked Don Heighters to donate fabric from something they had worn when they were happy. Included are hand-woven ties made by Phyllis Britton and part of a jacket Barbara Arnott got at the IARF (International Association for Religious Freedom) meeting in Tokyo.
Helena Wehrstein (daughter of Olive Shaw-Wehrstein) and the wall-hanging she designed for Don Heights. The photos were taken on December 3, 1995, the day the wall-hanging was dedicated.
Don Heights’ “Tree”
“Those of us who have come to liberal religion from orthodox backgrounds are most familiar with the symbolism of the rock as portraying eternal truths. The rock is thought to be a proper symbol of truth, for is it not a massive, firm and unchanging foundation? For the Unitarian the rock is an improper symbol, as truth is a growing, changing thing. Better than the rock is the symbol of a plant or a tree which is a growing, living thing, for such is truth.
The rock is an improper symbol for yet another reason. No matter how massive the rock may be, if left exposed to the stress of the elements, it will become eroded and even diminished in size. And if there be the tiniest crack or crevice in the rock in which the smallest plant may take root, in time this living, growing, changing thing will split the rock asunder. So for the Unitarian it is the tree, the living, growing, changing thing, which is the symbol of truth.”
From: “We Unitarians Believe” from Praise Life, a collection of sermons by Rev. Donald R. Stout, published by the Unitarian Congregation of South Peel, June 1960
Archival Note: Don Stout was Don Heights’ first minister 1954 – 56, also serving South Peel ½ time. In 1956 he moved to South Peel full time.
The symbol was designed by Bill Sloan in 1967.
DH Banner
The Banner was created by Raquel Baranyai for the CUC Annual Gatherings where each congregation present displays their banner. The Sun represents the ideal we set for ourselves and the dove of course our desire for peaceful relationships.
Pottery, Miriam Smith
Holocaust survivor Miriam Smith trained in pottery at Central Technical School in Toronto. She was the founder of Willowdale Artisans Craft Coop and was a member of Toronto Potters.
Over the years, Don Heights acquired several of her pieces, and Miriam participated regularly in our art shows.
