By Glenn McGlothlin

glenn.mcglothlin@jessaminejournal.com

Rudy Medlock, stained glass artist and retired Asbury art professor, has created a stained glass work for St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lexington.

Medlock taught art at Asbury University for nearly 40 years and now works with his daughter Dr. Paige Medlock Johnson, Ph.D., to create stained glass art that is found all across the world.

Johnson graduated from Asbury University and received her doctorate in Scotland.

Medlock’s work can be found at the Francis Asbury Society, Kinlaw Library Prayer Chapel at Asbury University, the Sanctuary in Wilmore as well as in Scotland and in the Dominican Republic.

Wedlock said St. John’s Lutheran first noticed his stained glass at the Sanctuary in downtown Wilmore. Medlock said the stained glass at the Sanctuary was designed around Christ’s second coming.

The church commissioned Medlock to create the stained glass for their new building located at 516 Pasadena Drive in Lexington and are hoping to hold their first service there this summer.

Medlock started making the 52 panels of stained glass in March 2016. Originally, the goal was to have them done and installed in July 2017 but this was delayed and the glass was installed earlier this month.

The first part of making stained glass is what Medlock says he enjoys most.

“The creation of the idea is the fun and interesting part,” Medlock said. “You work on the design and start with a color cartoon. Paige and I worked on that together.”

The design is based on the life of Christ and features his life, death, resurrection and ascension to heaven.

As much as Medlock said he enjoys designing stained glass, he also said he enjoys the more hands-on aspect of creating art.

The distinctly spiritual part of Medlock’s work is what keeps him working.

“You’re calling on the Spirit to lead you to do what is right and to work through us,” Medlock said. “What does God want to say through this work?”

The effects of the stained glass can alter the light entering a room and Medlock said it is “almost like a giant rainbow making the church pews change color.”

Although Medlock said at the end of the day, it comes down to giving God the glory.

“We do this because it gives us joy and it glorifies God,” Medlock said. “It’s a privilege to do things that please and glorify him.”