Centennial Window Project
Our Centennial window project will install four new stained glass windows on the north side of the church. We decided that they would focus on the natural world, the wonder of God’s creation, and particularly our beautiful local environment. We approached Qualicum Firsts Nation artist Jesse Recalma, well known in Qualicum for his wonderful sculpture that stands in the middle of the roundabout at the foot of Memorial Avenue. Jesse Recalma designed this beautiful scene looking out to the ocean from the north side of our church.
The window design creates a sense of the majesty of God’s creation. A verse from Psalm 69 which will go on a plaque underneath the window is the following: “Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and every thing that moveth therein."
At the same time, this window conveys the knowledge, history, spiritual understanding, and ongoing presence of the Qualicum First Nation and other Indigenous nations on this land and water.
Jesse Recalma’s statement
The scene in the window depicts the spiritual connections between our world, the animal world, and the world above.
How we live on these lands is based on our relationship with both the natural and the supernatural. We live in a world of interconnected diversity where the care of all things is paramount. We share our gratitude for what is provided and we do our work to ensure that all things are able to coexist without taking more than we need.
Our ancestors on the Salish Sea have inhabited these places for over 8000 years with historical village sites between the mainland, Vancouver Island and the adjacent islands. Land, sea, and air are all connected and overseen by the Supernatural.
The orca are depicted as representing the creatures of the sea, carrying the strength found within their pod family and representing the unity held amongst families. Their strength begets respect and reverence for their unity and their magnificence. Within all of this they look after one another; they hunt with kindness in their hearts for the love they carry for one another.
The eagle soars high over the land and sea, connecting our world to that of the supernatural.
The Salish Eye watches over. This is the strength of the creator and the ancestors who watch over all. Sometimes the Salish eye is called the eye of the creator and is commonly used within Salish Art.
The human is not missing from this piece, but we must know that the human part of the design is abstract and metaphysical when we understand that the human experience comes from us as the observers.
The human is you looking at the piece. The human is you walking through the forests and along these streets. The ancestors of the Qualicum First Nation and others rest under these grounds and have become one with the process of life. Each space where you walk is a space where our ancestors have walked since time immemorial. Their descendants are still here and still carry on the knowledge and traditions of their predecessors. As one of them, I bring this imagery to share with you just some of the knowledge that has been handed down from generation to generation.
Can I Help?
Yes! Help bring Jesse Recalma’s beautiful design to life! Our Centennial windows will cost $24,000 for design, fabrication and installation. We are collecting funds from our congregation and fundraising events. We hope you will become involved in the creation of this beautiful gift to our church and community! Any donation, large or small, will be welcomed and appreciated. Each contributor’s name will be recorded in a special book and kept within the church as a record of this legacy.
Please make cheques payable to St. Mark’s Anglican Church with “Centennial Window” on the memo line. Your contribution is tax-deductible. Please provide your current mailing address for income tax receipts which will be available at the end of 2026. You can also drop cheques at our office, 138 Hoylake Road W., 9 a.m. to 1:30, Tuesday-Thursday.