The History of Emmanuel Church
The Search for Emmanuel's Original Stained Glass Windows
Upon completion of the remodeling in 1880, sixteen stained glass windows were installed -- the figural triptych and thirteen geometric windows. Over time, additional figural windows were endowed, which were installed in place of the original mail-order geometrics. Some, if not all of these windows were stored in the attic, in the basement, and even in parishioners' barns. Over time, these windows were sold at church bazaars to raise money for other projects and causes. These sales were either not recorded or they have been lost.
One can only speculate how many windows or individual panels were saved, but it is possible to estimate how many original individual panels have been replaced. There are nine figural windows that now reside in niches original occupied by geometric windows. Based on the geometric window that still survives (the Choir Window WD05), it is likely that all of them were lancet windows with four rectangular panels topped by the semicircular crown panel. This means that there were probably nine crowns and thirty-six rectangles removed to make room for the nine figural windows.
The parish hall built in 1905 when the bell tower was added also had stained glass windows. From a photo postcard postmarkd 1907, it appears that there were at least eleven stained glass windows in that structure. They were all removed when the new parish hall was built in 1961 with all clear-glass windows. The photo clearly shows eight lancet windows and two round windows, but it is likely from the proportions of the building that there was at least one more lancet window not in the picture; thus, eleven windows.
From four panels that have been located and identified, the composition of some of the windows can be deduced. From that information, it appears that there are at least 18 crown panels and 46 rectangular panels still to be found or at least accounted for. History is never completely written, and collections of artifacts are seldom complete. The fun is in the search, and the thrill is in the discovery. I invite you to channel your inner Indiana Jones and join us in this urban archaeology expedition as we look for more of Emmanuel's missing windows. Let's start with ones we have already found.
The Dutton Panels
This B&W photo from the Kent County News provides the only evidence so far of one of the original geometric windows that was later removed for a figural. The window to its left is WD09, the Myers Window, depicting Jesus with the children. The geometric window to its right was later replaced by WD10, depicting 1 John 2:10.
The two panels outlined in white now hang in the Sunday School passageway of the Presbyterian Church in Chestertown. They were purchased by Fred and Mackey Dutton at a church bazaar. Fred, a Presbyterian, donated the panels to his church.
The Dutton Panels
This is the hallway in the Presbyterian Church, one to the left and the other to the right.
The Dutton Panels
These are the two panels. Of course, they could any of the four rectangular panels in the black and white photo.
Dutton Powder Room Window
This window also belonged to Fred and Mackie Dutton, who bought it at the same time that they bought the panels they donated to the Presbyterian Church. They installed it in the powder room of their home on Water Street.
When I visited the current owners to photograph their window, the lady of the house told me that, before they bought the home, the window had been damaged during a party, so it was removed, renovated, and reinstalled. Intrigued by such a “wild” party, I asked Mackie, who quickly set me straight. There was no party. Instead, a house guest lost his balance in the restroom and fell against the window, which bowed but did not break. The guest graciously offered to pay for the repair, leaving his blank check for Mackie to use.
While the window was being repaired, Mackie came across an old unused picture postcard from the Caribbean. She sent it to the guest with the note: “Has the check cleared yet? We’re having a wonderful time. Thank you.”
Note the yellow and white glass panels and the violet inner border, just like the tower window. I’m pretty sure this window, like the Presbyterian panels, once resided somewhere in the church? If so, where? The answer might lie in the next composite photo.
An enlarged detail of the north end of the parish hall taken from the 1907 picture postcard shows that this Dutton window fits perfectly and matches the geometry of any one of the three lancet windows in that wall. It means that there are two more lancet windows with central medallions, probably using a Eucharistic motif similar to the sheaf of wheat in the medallion of the Dutton Window.
While we have this composite picture up, take a look at the two target windows WD 20 and 22) that also fit perfectly above abd between the three lancet windows. What makes this an interesting possibility is that our third target window has greenish glass that does not match the yellow and gold glass of these two. Is it possible that WD21 was commissioned in 1961 when the new parish hall was built with three gables? So far, no way to know for sure, but it's an interesting hypothesis.
All three of these windows match the colors and style of WD19, the Belfry Window installed in 1905.
In the home of Anne Charles, an Emmanuel parishioner, is a detached storage shed that includes a wing that might once have been a studio. In the wall are two matching stained glass windows. One of them is pictured at left. It does not appear to match any of the known Emmanuel windows in design or color, but the measurements of the windows tell a story of their own. Each panel measures 13 inches wide by 309 inches tall. The three windows in Dwyer Hall pictured in another detail from the 1907 postcard, which now have clear glass sash windows, measure exactly 26 inches wide by 39 inches tall for the rectangular part of the lancet opening. This would perfectly fit Anne's two panels side by side. Hmmmmm.