In the last newsletter article I described how the stained glass window from our former James St. church, normally on display at the Everson, was on a new journey to three locations. I ended by hoping that someone could travel to one of these locations and see it in person. Fortunately, Harsey and Joyce Leonard for their 50th wedding anniversary spent time in France for the holidays. They were able to see “New Jerusalem” at the Musée du Luxembourg in Paris. They brought back photos, mementos, and first hand stories not only about the Tiffany exhibit, but how our window was clearly the best piece in the show (I might have added that last comment). I recently added to the web page more information about that window and its journey with a couple of new photos: http://history.mmuus.org/NewJerusalem.htm. Harsey and Joyce did say our window was the 2nd largest in the exhibit and with some backlighting using foil to reflect the light, it really was a beauty to see. One of the mementos was a 72 page booklet showing the exhibit pieces. All these mementos will go into our archives.
Some may have read the wonderful article about our window’s journey by Dick Case in the Post Standard on January 12. He described his conversation with Deb Ryan, the Everson’s senior curator, who explained how the window was taken apart and packed carefully in three separate wooden crates. Deb will fly to Paris as “New Jerusalem” is taken down and crated for the trip to Montreal. Now, is there anyone taking a trip to Montreal?
Several History Committee members have completed recorded interviews of 24 long time or past church parishioners. We’ve learned much about our history. Here are only three of the many interesting factoids from these conversations:
More than 70 years ago a large room in the James Street church used for religious education classes had movable dividers with opaque glass to create the appearance of rooms for a certain amount of privacy.
In the James Street church there were many nooks and crannies where a clever and knowledgeable child could hide from parents and teachers if they so desired, sometimes for long periods of time.
When the current church was built, children had to be at least three years old to attend because of concerns with communicable diseases, such as polio.
With more than 40 hours of taped conversation we have gained much such knowledge. Forty more people have been identified whom we hope to interview over the next several months. If you would like to do some interviewing or any of scanning, inventorying, and other tasks the committee undertakes, we would love to have you join us.
Finally, an interesting history-related update. On January 22 Harsey Leonard and I met with Mr. Peter Wilkinson Bragdon, Exeter, NH, great grandson of Sam May. He presented to the church two bibles at one time owned by Sam May and passed down through the family. It was a wonderful occasion and the bibles will soon be on display. See http://history.mmuus.org/bibles.html for more information.
Rog Hiemstra, Chair, History Committee
Written January 15, 2010
