Today I’d like to talk to you about our last stained glass window. It is dedicated to the Rev. Eugene Hopper, our long-time rector. You may have noticed it above the narthex on the east wall facing Broadway. As early as 1955, the Connick Studio recommended a front window “rich and brilliant in color and significance. It is a theme we have often designed, and in many different ways.” We do know that during this time the Studio was experimenting with 20th century designs, and may have recommended those to us.
During these preliminary discussions a price could not be guaranteed, and the matter was dropped. Another attempt was made in 1968, but dropped for the same reason. In 1972 St. James was both financially and conceptually ready to award a contract to the Connick Studios with an installation date no later than March 1, 1973. Connick’s recommendations were to complement the existing windows, including the use of brighter colors to further illuminate the nave.
I’d like to point out that we did gave them virtual carte blanche in designing the window based on our previous contracts. However, as the window was being unpacked, the Memorial Committee chair was very displeased with its design and construction. An emergency Vestry meeting was called, and many of the members were also disappointed. The glass was smooth rather than textured, the colors were too light, and the window did not reflect those already installed. Unfortunately, I don’t know what happened next, but I do know that on the 29th of July, 1973, the Rev. Eugene Newcomb Hopper window was dedicated at the 10:30 am service on St. James Day.
Description: The upper medallions in the window represent the triumphant Lamb of God and the Dove of the Holy Spirit. The lower symbols are the Cross and Crown and the Scallop Shells of Saint James. A memorialized statement was placed across the bottoms of the two centered panels. All four themes were “outstanding in Mr. Hopper’s ministry.” Quoted from the dedication service sheet.
Title: The Dove of the Spirit, the Lamb of God. The Connick Studio referred to the window as the Great Front Window and the Te Deum window
Installed: 1973
Order of Installation: the last window installed in our church building
Location: narthex
Type: four-panel lancet with tracery and diamond/cross-hatched fields
Our next series of articles will be about the Church of the Epiphany, 1868 – 1923, our predecessor.
