even the composition of the pot. Some of the ingredients used to color glass are no longer used because it was eventually discovered that the chemicals were hazardous to the glassmaker's health! During the Middle Ages, stained glass windows and other artwork were often used in churches to educate the illiterate. Poor Man's Bible is the term that eventually was used to describe artwork used in this manner. Some windows used literal scenes from the Christian Bible, while other windows used symbolism to represent the Bible's teachings. The many stained glass windows in Hartford City's Presbyterian Church carry on this tradition with both Biblical scenes and symbolism. At first glance, the huge window on the church's west wall (see High Street photo) appears to be an elaborate geometric design without obvious Christian symbols. Instead, the window is full of symbolism. The circular portion at the top of the window is called a rose window. This type of stained glass window was popular in Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals. The west portico of the Tournai Cathedral is an example of a rose window in Belgium. The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, is another example of a cathedral with a rose window on the western facade. The west side location is typical for a rose window, and it enables the afternoon sunlight to enhance the beauty of the window for the viewer inside the structure. During the 19th and 20th centuries, rose windows were often dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. The center of the rose window in Hartford City's First Presbyterian Church, with its gold ring, represents Christ as the center “light”. “Christ” is surrounded by twelve objects – the twelve disciples. Below the rose are four lancets that represent the four gospel writers. This window, typically dedicated to the mother of Christ during the 19th century, is a memorial to its sponsor's mother – and follows tradition by its location on the western side of the church. While the church's western window contains some feminine symbology – the other large window, located on the north side, is masculine with a crown symbolizing Jesus Christ the King. More examples of messages contained in the church's stained glass windows are listed below, and can be found in the various photos herein. Most art (stained) glass rose windows in cathedrals and churches in the UK, Europe and the US, feature