Stained-Glass Windows
—Organized and compiled by Robert Chapman
St. Paul’s Church Historian/Archivist and Vault Custodian
This compilation is not just about stained-glass windows, it’s about the people connected to their dedication.
When the Methodist Church was built in 1869 the windows were plain glass.
In 1935, architects Horwood & White of Toronto proposed changes to the building including stained glass of “scriptural pictorial subjects in glazed lead.” We read from the architects’ proposal as shown on the blueprint drawings (these are in the church vault):
There are in the chancel two large windows adjoining the north wall of the chancel, one on its east wall and the other on its west wall. These are large windows and would give adequate daylight to the north end of the chancel.
On the south wall of the sanctuary architects show a:
Circular or “rose” window, characteristic of Gothic work, and assists in giving character to the whole of the building.
Also stated by the architects:
Few windows are shown on the front of the building [then without the Atrium addition] in order to give it size and dignity and to emphasize those that are shown.
From “The History of St. Paul’s-Stained Glass Windows” we read:
The Toronto Firm of Robert McCausland has created all the stained-glass windows in our sanctuary.
From correspondence letters received by St. Paul’s church from Robert McCausland, I read that the quoted “price includes the finest of antique glasses and best workmanship, text, inscription and installation.”
From the Spire, 1973, we read excerpts from “Memorials & Gifts” binder which was assembled by Pauline Rideout, then office secretary:
The Chapel stained-glass windows [west transept] were presented to the glory of God and in memory of William S. Frost (1864-1940) and his wife Margaret J. Barker (1865-1946) by their sons Dr. Grenville Frost, the Honourable Leslie Frost, and the family of the late Cecil Frost.
Other stained-glass windows in the sanctuary were presented in memory of loved ones by the Gleaners Sunday School class; in memory of William Todd (1838-1908); by scholars and friends on May 3, 1959, to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the Sunday School; in loving memory of Edward Morrison, his sisters, and brothers; and in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford S. Dick.
From the “Memorials & Gifts” binder are the descriptions of the sanctuary stained-glass windows, with photographs, compiled by Associate Minister, Jack Carbert:
“Jesus In the Temple”
This window depicts the Bible verse “All that heard were astonished at his understanding.” Luke 2: 47.
This window was dedicated by scholars and friends in 1959 to the glory of God to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of St. Paul’s United Church School (1859-1959).
“Jesus Standing at the Door and Knocking”
Depicts the Bible verse “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”
This stained-glass window was dedicated in 1962 in memory of their loved ones by the Gleaners Sunday School Class.
In 1920, a class for young ladies was formed and called “Live Wires”. The name was later changed to the “King’s Daughters” and in 1945 to the “Gleaners”.
Motto of the Gleaners: “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead” ‒ Ruth 3:20.
Teachers from the beginning include Mrs. Elder, Elva Ward Herald, Mrs. Ruby Ingram, Mrs. Margaret McGill, Mrs. Belle Bugden and Mrs. Thelma Rynard.
They met once a month in the Parlour beginning with a worship and sometimes a speaker or readings. They raised money through voluntary giving and one rummage sale a year. A special donation from each member would go to the Salvation Army to assist with children going to camp. They have always supported St. Paul’s financially as well as Amnesty International.
From “The Story of the Gleaners Bible Class” we read:
It was during Mrs. Rynard’s teaching that she inspired the Gleaners to start a project, namely a stained-glass window for the church. She said she would match us dollar for dollar, which she did. Five years later our window was dedicated, erected in memory of our loved ones, past and future members who leave this world to be with Christ and other loved ones each member holds dear in their hearts.
The day the window was dedicated, we had 34 members on Roll.
Through free-will offerings, last year we were able to make donations to the Pain Pump fund at Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, World Mission to the Deaf, the Scott Mission (Toronto), the Salvation Army, to St. Paul’s Church, and to the Bible Society with a stipulation that the Bibles be sent to Russia.
Over the years we have supported several foster children. Besides this we place flowers in St. Paul’s sanctuary once a year in memory of our loved ones.
Continuing from “Memorials & Gifts”:
Before disbanding in 1993 as a regular meeting group, their membership was approximately 25. This group of ladies have always been a very caring and loving group.
“The Road to Emmaus”
The panels depict the story of “The road to Emmaus” in Luke 24: 13 ‒ 35 which is printed on the window.
In the upper sections are three symbols representing the three church denominations that came into union in 1925 to form The United Church of Canada: The Open Bible for the Congregational Church; the Descending Dove for the Methodist Church; and the Burning Bush for the Presbyterian Church. The sheaf of grain and the grapes represent the bread and the wine of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The modernistic design of the bold colours are in contrast to the more traditional setting of the other windows in the church.
The four-pane spread stained glass windows and plaque located in the Chapel [west transept] was dedicated in 1967 to the glory of God in memory of William Sword Frost (1864-1940) and his wife Margaret Jane Barker (1965-1946) by their sons Dr. Grenville Barker Frost, and the Honourable Leslie Miscampbell Frost, and the family of the late Cecil Gray Frost.
William Sword Frost was a native of Scotland. He came to Orillia July 1, 1867. He was a member and Elder of the Presbyterian Church. Following union, he was a Session Elder from 1925 to 1940, the time of his death. He was Clerk of Session in 1935. Mr. Frost was Mayor of Orillia in 1912.
From the Order of Service bulletin for the Dedication of Windows we read:
The four windows tell the story of EMMAUS, found in the 24th Chapter of St. Luke, Verses 13 to 35.
The first window shows the meeting with the stranger. The central two windows are inspired by the Rembrandt painting, while the fourth shows the return to Jerusalem. The story is told by the text on the windows.
A bronze dedication plaque is located in the Chapel near the windows. The title of the sermon: “The Gospel in Stained Glass.”
“The Nativity”
This window depicts the title verse “The Word was made flesh” John 1: 14.
This window was dedicated December 21st, 1969, to the glory of God and in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Dick by daughters Carol, Marcia and Janice.
Mrs. Dick sang in the choir. She also attended the Madden-Long Auxiliary, and later the Woman’s Missionary Society and Woman’s Association.
Mr. Dick was on the Board of Stewards and Chairman for a term.
“Baptism of Jesus in Jordan River”
Depicts the Bible verse “This is my beloved son.” Luke 3: 22.
Jesus was about 30 years of age. This window was dedicated in 1971 to the glory of God and in loving memory of Edward Morrison by his sisters and brothers.
William Morrison was the parent and contributed greatly to church life.
He served as Church School Secretary from 1894 to 1929.
Served as Church School Treasurer from 1911 to 1928.
Served as Steward from 1925 to 1926.
Was a Session Elder from 1926 to 1929 ‒ his death.
His contribution to the Church School is remembered on the plaque now mounted on the south wall of McDonald Hall.
The payment receipt for this window includes “one hopper ventilator.” Many of the windows in the sanctuary have a swing open ventilator at the bottom.
“Crucifixion”
Depicts the Bible verse “Truly this was the Son of God.”
Window was dedicated in 1980 to the glory of God in memory of Samuel and Martha Caswell and their children Nina, Neil, Lena, Kathleen, Maud, Herbert and William. From the Caswell Estate.
Kate and Lena Caswell were members of the Madden-Long Auxiliary in 1929. A Young Ladies Missionary Circle was founded in 1903 and the name changed to the Young Women’s Auxiliary in 1922, and then to Madden-Long Auxiliary in 1933 in tribute to Mrs. G.T. Madden and Mrs. E. Long who had supervised the group for several years.
“Healing the Sick”
Depicts the Bible verse “Jesus went about healing all manner of sickness,” Luke 5.
This stained-glass window was given to the glory of God and in memory of Dr. P.B. and Mrs. Thelma Rynard by son John and grandson Edmund.
Mrs. Rynard was a leader of the Gleaners Class in 1945.
Dr. Rynard was a Bible Class teacher, a Lay Preacher and took many services in Orillia’s outlying churches.
In 1954 was Chairman of the Special Gifts Committee of St. Paul’s “Forward Movement”.
He served as a Member of Parliament for the Conservative Party for this region for many years.
Dedicated ‒ October 1982.
“Calling of the Disciples”
Depicts the Bible verse “They forsook their nets and followed him.”
This window was dedicated in 1986 to the glory of God in loving memory of Pearl and Matthew Baird by daughters Jean Baird and Betty Hall in honour of the parents’ dedication to church and community life.
Mrs. Baird was ‒
The 1933 President of Woman’s Missionary Society.
The 1948 President of the Woman’s Association.
A deputy organist at St. Paul’s.
Sunday School teacher.
The congregation in September 1931 voted by a margin of 167 to 100 to permit Women Elders. Mrs. Baird was elected to Eldership in 1934 but declined to serve. However, her daughter Jean has served as an Elder from 1963 to 1965 and 1971 to 1980.
Mr. Baird was ‒
1909 local preacher of the Methodist Church.
1919 an exhorter of the Methodist Church as Lay Minister.
1924 – 1925 a representative to the Quarterly Board of the Methodist Church.
1926 ‒ 1929 a Session Elder of the new United Church.
“Ascension Into Heaven”
Depicts the Bible verse “Lo, I am with you always”.
This window was dedicated in 1987 to the glory of God in memory of Ross W. and Bessie M. Phelps by son and daughters ‒ the Phelps and the Brown families.
Glen Phelps ‒ son was a Church Elder; also on the Board of Trustees.
“I Am the Good Shepherd”
Dedicated to the glory of God and to commemorate the Ministry of Perley and Elsie Lewis. This window was presented by Richard and Alma Vanderburgh.
The Rev. Perley Lewis was born in Upper Economy, Nova Scotia, 1894. Mr. Lewis came to St. Paul’s as Assistant Minister in 1960. He was also Minister Emeritus. Perley Lewis died in 1991.
Alma Vanderburgh was a Public-School teacher. She was President of the Woman’s Missionary Society in 1961.
Richard Vanderburgh was on the Session after Church Union for twenty years from 1926 to 1946.
“Parable of the Sower”
Depicts the Bible verse “Gladness is sown for the upright in heart”.
This stained-glass window is given to the glory of God and in memory of William Todd (1838-1908).
Refurbished by the family of the late Cecil and Gladys Dobson and in their memory, 1994.
Mrs. Harriet Todd, from 1888 until she died in 1933 was actively involved in church life as teacher of the Home Bible Class, charter member of the Woman’s Missionary Auxiliary, Vice-President (1891) of the newly reorganized Ladies’ Aid, then President (1917-1923).
From 1891 to 1921 she was a representative to the Quarterly Board of the Methodist Church. She and two other ladies were the first to be so honoured.
1920 to 1930 she was appointed to the Board of Trustees.
The Red Cross set up an emergency hospital in our Sunday School under the leadership of Mrs. Todd, to cope with the flu epidemic, shortage of nurses, doctors and hospital space in 1919.
Harriet Todd School is named in her honour.
Mr. Todd was representative to the Quarterly Board 1878 to 1885 and was church Treasurer for over 25 years (1879 to 1907).
In 1908, William Todd’s Will stipulated that his Estate consisting of a block of stores at 89-97 Mississaga Street East should go to St. Paul’s Church after Mrs. Todd’s death, subject to payment of legacies to various relatives.
Mrs. Harriet Todd died in 1933. Rather than sell the property in a depressed market, the Church Board decided to borrow sufficient money to pay off the legacies ($1,200) and retain possession of the property. For the next several years the Committee of Stewards played the role of landlord to four stores and the apartments above.
A window in the Narthex [Atrium] was presented in loving memory of Pearl Edwards by daughter Phyllis and son-in-law Eric.
A second window in the Atrium was presented in loving memory of Catherine Leigh by her husband William.
There are beautiful stained-glass windows in the Sunday School building, including the Parlour, built in 1910. Above the Sunday School rooms there are windows all around this upper level ‒ the attic. These window panes are called “Daisy glass” ‒ a clear textured pattern.
I found over a hundred of pebbled glass panes ‒ now antique ‒ stacked in the attic. These panes had been removed from the draw-up vertical wood panels that were used as moveable sections fronting the Sunday School classrooms. Photos of these can be seen in my book People In Place (2017). After a major renovation in 1969 to put in permanent walls with doors, the wood panels remained in the up position, now only seen from the attic.
In the east transept a stained-glass window on the north wall was plastered over to provide space for a large power-point screen, and to neutralize the stage space that was renovated in 2017. This window can still be viewed from the outside of the building. The stained-glass window on the north wall in the Chapel (east transept) was plastered over likewise when the then Presbytery Resource Centre was built around 1956. Old photos of these windows can be seen in my book People In Place.
Stained glass panels could also be seen in the sanctuary ceiling lanterns, two of which were removed from the front to allow new stage lighting. One was sold; the other is kept in archives and is shown here.
Sources
from St. Paul’s church vault archives:
“The History of St. Paul’s Stained-Glass Windows” prepared for a walking tour of the Memorial Windows and sanctuary during St. Paul’s 175th Anniversary Weekend (2006) and “Open Doors Orillia” community event.
Memorials & Gifts binder (Property Committee).
Robert McCausland Ltd. Stained-Glass Memorial Windows, Toronto, correspondence letters and submitted designs.
Order of Service bulletin for the Dedication of Windows and plaque in memory of William Sword Frost and his wife Margaret Jane Barker, 1967.
Spire St. Paul’s church newsletter, p. 6.
“The Story of the Gleaners Bible Class,” Harriet Chapman, Gleaners Secretary/past-President.
People In Place, Robert Chapman, 2017.
Daylight Saving Time
—Organized and compiled by Robert Chapman,
St. Paul’s Church Historian/Archivist and Vault Custodian
From the Methodist Church, Orillia, Quarterly Board Minutes we read:
1912
The matter of changing from Standard Time to Local Time was discussed and the Board disapproved of same and appointed a committee to confer with other churches about the matter.
A special meeting of several members of the Trustee Board to meet the committee from Town Council, Board of Trade and representatives from Presby, Baptist and Church of England churches re. matter of adopting Local Time in our churches. The different representatives very urgently requested that we all go together in the matter and give it a trial. After the following had urged the unity spirit of the matter which would be necessary to make the change successful, the delegation retired after a few remarks by Geo. Clark as Chairman.
The secretary was instructed to notify the members living outside the town of the change.
The following is an article from Orillia Today newspaper, 2019:
ORILLIA PIONEERED DAYLIGHT TIME
Orillia was ahead of its time.
Orillia mayor, Bill Frost, and his pal, town councillor and local newspaper editor/publisher Charles Hale, were proponents of the English idea of daylight time. The idea, at the start of the 20th century, was to give the working class an extra hour of daylight at the end of the day when they were off work and to give them an extra hour of darkness when they were sleeping.
Hale and Frost thought this was an excellent plan and decided that Orillia should pioneer it in Canada.
Locals in Orillia were not all enamoured. No, sir. This would butt Saturday into the Lord’s day of rest. That would not do.
But Hale argued in his paper that Orillia could become known as “the town ahead.” As president of the Orillia Board of Trade, he argued that it would be good for the workers and that would be good for business.
Finally, after a few years of pushing for it, in 1912, council decided to move ahead with the experiment.
There were petitions against it and the Bricklayers Union was hard against it. Hale wrote an editorial:
“The bone and sinew of the town, who work from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. day in, day out, find it dark almost as soon as tea is over. Moving the clock one hour ahead would give their men an opportunity to enjoy another hour’s daylight in the evening … because they will sleep in the dark hours and have an hour more sunlight added to the waking period.”
The first Sunday of the institution of daylight time arrived.
Bill Frost now being called “Daylight” Bill Frost, woke and dressed in his Sunday best and headed off to church only to find the service an hour along. He was late, waking at the old time ‒ sleeping in ‒ while everyone else at the church had arisen the hour earlier as Frost and Hale had suggested.
The summer of 1912 was one of bedlam if you were a boarding house operator. Apparently, there were a lot of boarding houses in Orillia and the operators had to churn out two lunches and two dinners each day because not all the town had switched over.
Boarding houses were numerous enough that the operators had some serious pull at council.
Two weeks after it was brought in ─ that June 1912 ─ it was repealed.
From the Order of Service bulletin for the Dedication of Windows in St. Paul’s United Church, Orillia (1967) we read:
As a resident of Orillia, William Sword Frost was associated with the business, municipal and church life of the community. As Mayor he introduced the first daylight saving by-law in Canada, probably in America, in 1912. This highly controversial move was not a success at the time. Nevertheless, it was an Orillia first. In the great convulsion of the First World War daylight saving time became a fact in 1918.