The Chancel

The Mothers' Window

The Mothers' Window was dedicated on Mothers' Day 1926 and was a gift from almost every family in the parish.  It is dedicated "To the Glory of God and in affectionate honor of all Mothers."    The pictures in this window tell the stories of a mother's joy, tragedy and triumph. The window was designed by the firm Reynolds, Francis and Rohnstock.   The deep blue glass was imported from England.  The reds reflect an early thirteenth century French motif.  The French motif was probably chosen because of the United States' close alliance to France at the time the windows were designed.    The 1926 edition of the History of Second Church explains that "The idea of our Mothers' Window is an evolution from the older custom which honored by specific tribute the memory of a single person - a memorial that only individual or family wealth could grant.  Our chancel window is a tribute to all mothers - mothers who are gone, mothers who are with us still, and mothers who are yet to be."   In the quatrefoil in the very center at the top is the Dove of God descending from Heaven with the new soul about to be born on earth.  Surrounding the dove are the angels of the Madonna, bearing the flower symbolizing purity and the fleur-de-lis, symbolizing service.     The central medallion shows the Madonna and Child.  At the left are the adoring Shepherds and on the right the Wise Men, bearing gifts.  Above the Wise Men is a lovely picture of mother love - the hen with her brood of chickens.  There are many other animals in the window including lambs, a donkey and even a snake.   The medallion to the extreme left (upper row) is a scene where Jesus greets his mother in Heaven and crowns her.   In the middle of the center horizontal row of medallions is the scene of the Nativity.  On the left is the Annunciation by the Angel to Mary and on the right the Visitation of Mary and Elizabeth.  The extreme left panel in this row shows Eve, the Mother of all living things and on the right the Good Shepherd with the lost lamb upon His shoulders, depicting the maternal love of God for the human soul.   The central medallion (lowest row) is Jesus' farewell to his Mother, as He commends her to the care of his disciple; on the left are Mary and Joseph with the boy in a carpenter's shop in Nazareth.  The extreme left panel shows the journey of the Holy Family to Jerusalem.  The extreme right panel shows Jesus blessing the children.

THE CHANCEL STEPS

DEACONS SEATS

The twelve apostles are carved in the Deacons' Seats each bearing 
his symbol, and some with the instrument of his martyr's death. 

A L T A R

PETER  keys of life and death

ST. JAMES book and fuller's club

PHILIP

ST. JAMES book and fuller's club

MATTHEW axe and his gospel

ANDREW transverse cross

N A V E

JOHN chalice and poison

MATTHIAS

BARTHOLOMEW knife

JUDE books and    a club

THOMAS    lance

SIMON      saw

The Lectern

Church Mouse

Owl denoting wisdom

The four Evangelists are carved at the base of the lectern.

The Pulpit

The Fuller Chapel

The Wynd Young Window The Wynd Young window is located in the Fuller Chapel to the left of the Chancel.  It is the oldest window in the church and was given in memory of Mrs. J. Franklin Fuller in 1916.   The window was designed by Henry Wynd Young and made in New York.  The overall silvery effect of the window is reminiscent of fifteenth century English glass.  The various tints of white create the icy effect and are examples of Young's trademark subtle palette.  There are no straight lines, reminding us that this window was truly made by hand. The window  shows the angel of Consolation with sorrowing Mother.  The Virgin figure was directly inspired by a similar window in the Chapel of New College in Oxford.   The North Nave     The Music Window The theme of the Music is shown forth by a central figure of King David, The Sweet Singer of Israel; by Saint Cecilia, traditional Patron Saint of Music and by later outstanding personages who have contributed importantly to the present day Music of the Church. The central figure of King David is robed in a blue undergarment and a gold overmantle.  He is crowned and holds in his arms a harp on which he is playing.    Beneath this figure is a medallion which shows Saint Cecilia seated and playing on a primitive organ.  Saint Cecilia was born in Rome of a wealthy Pagan family of Senatorial rank, probably toward the end of the second century.  She was converted to Christianity and suffered a Martyr's death.  She is popularly credited with having invented the organ.  That is incorrect, the principle of the organ was well known before her time.  She is the Patron Saint of Music and a Music Window would be incomplete without reference to her.     In the right lancet, the central medallion shows Mendelssohn seated and composing the Oratorio "Elijah."  The opening notes and words, "Hear ye Israel" form  part of the composition. The Symbol above the medallion illustrates the climatic translation of Elijah to Heaven in a Chariot of Fire.     Below the Medallion of Mendelssohn, the symbol of Palestrina shows a Choir of Angels singing his Hymn, "The Strife Is O'er, The Battle Won."  Giovanni Palestrina ( ? - 1594) has been called the "Father of the Mass."  In the example shown in the Window, the shape of notes used differs from the oval shape of present notation.       The central medallion in the left lancet illustrates Handel conducting his Oratorio "The Messiah."  Shown are the first few notes and words of the "Hallelujah Chorus."  The Symbol above this medallion refers to Isaiah's prophecy of the coming of the Christ Child - "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great Light and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.  For unto us a child is born, etc."   Below the medallion of Handel is a Symbol suggesting Bach's version of Christ appearing to a traveler.  The first few notes shown here are from the Chorus "Come ye Daughters" from the "Passion According to Saint Matthew.     The window was installed in memory of Mrs. Grace Greene Crosby and was dedicated on March 14, 1954.  It was designed Reynolds, Francis, Rohnstock & Seti who also designed the Mothers' Window in the Chancel, the Dwinnell window in the Transept and the windows in the Children's Chapel . This information was taken from the service of Dedication (March 14. 1954) bulletin.     The South Nave In Praise of the Healing Arts This window, dedicated to the Ministry of Healing, is an expression of man's reliance upon fith in God and God's creativity to assist him in the comforting and healing of the ill. The dove of the Holy spirit glows white and pearly gray near the top of the window.  Around this symbol and coming from it is a cleansing, merciful rain.  This suggests spiritual healing emanating from God.  The symbol on the left combines the serpents of the caduceus (ancient symbol of medicine) with a test tube, indicating man's resources to heal.  The symbol on the right is composed of a cross lifted above the world. In this window the symbolism is quite abstract allowing for freedom of interpretation of each individual viewer. The window was designed and executed by the Willet Stained Glass Studio of  Philadelphia.  It was given in memory of Richard B. Cattell, M.D. who practiced medicine in New England and was Director of the Lahey Clinic for the last ten years of his active professional life.  Dr. Cattell was a member of Second Church from 1937  until his death  in 1964. This information was taken from the service of Dedication (October 20, 1968) bulletin.         The Children's Chapel Triptych in the Children's Chapel The Children's Chapel is lit by a collection of Joseph Reynolds' windows.  These windows are notable for their streaky glass.  The leaded joints are staggered creating the feeling of the Middle Ages.  Cartoon figures (Charlie Chaplain, a cat, a Sunday School teacher) can be found in the edges.  These are little jokes also in the Medieval tradition.