Christmas At St. Alban’s Church 1876
Photo Source: Recollections from the Past:Sussex, Wisconsin, Presented by Farmers & Merchants Bank, August 4, 1972
St. Alban’s Churchpresented so unusual and pleasing an appearance in the interior at the joyfulfestival of Christmas, that it deserves more than a passing notice.
In addition to the usual evergreen decorations, the wallsof the scared edifice were adorned with appropriate sentences from HolyScripture, in red, green and gold lettering. On the side walls of the nave werethe following, viz: ‘Unto us a Child is Born’, ‘Unto us a Son is Given’,’Wonderful’, ‘Counseller’, ‘The Mighty God’, ‘The Prince of Peace’, ‘Son of theHighest’.
Over the chancel arch the angelic hymn, “Glory to Godin the Highest; On Earth , Peace, Good Will Toward Men.” Over the chancelwindow, “Emmanuel, God with us.” Over the altar, “Do this inRemembrance of Me;” and over the credance table, “Gloria in Excelsia,Deo,” put in the shape of a gothic arch, with the monogram Alpha and Omegain the centre. The lettering was really beautiful, and added greatly to theeffect in decorating the church.
The chancel sentences were the handiwork of the Rector;and the rest came from Lamb of New York; as did the also two beautiful bannerswhich were suspended on either side of the chancel window. The banners werecrimson; the one with the monogram, I.H.S., emblazoned on the centre, and theother with shield and cross swords. They served to remind the worshippers oftheir calling as soldiers of Christ, besides being highly ornamental.
Through the exertions of the Rector’s wife, the chancelwas almost entirely furnished. Two elegant chairs were placed one on either sideof the altar – that on the right being the Bishop’s chair with the mitre cut inrelief on the top, and that on the left being the Rector’s chair. An elegantaltar cloth of crimson, with the scared monogram worked in gold (by Mrs. E.Boots), also falls for the lecture and prayer desk of the same material,embroidered likewise. A much needed credence table, in the form of a bracketshelf, was fastened to the wall on the right of the altar. And the marble font(which stands in front of the chancel) was made complete by the addition of amarble base. These article, with a handsome lecture and prayer desk put in somemonths ago, complete the chancel furniture, rendering it church-like andconvenient for the holy purposes of worship. Here may it be mentioned the Alvaschest, which was presented with the chancel furniture, and which is placed inthe tower vestibule of the church. All the woodwork was made by Mr. T. Kaine, ofMenomonee.
The resolution appended to this account is an expressionon the part of the wardens and vestry of St. Alban’s, for themselves and thecongregation at large, of their appreciation of Mrs. Dr. Wright’s efforts torender their church elegant and worth of its sacred use,
This report would be very incomplete were not mention madeof the six memorial windows which have just been made to replace as many of theplain glass windows. The first was put in by the Rector and his wife for a deardeparted child. Subject, Ruth gleaning. Inscription, “In memoriam. Adelaide, we shall receive the crown of life.” The second was put in by Mr. R.Fear, of St. Louis, Mo. Subject, Rebecca at the well. Inscription, “Inmemoriam, Hannah Brown Fear, died Sept. 3d, 1876, aged 30 years.” The thirdwas put in by Mr. Richard Weaver, of Sussex. Subject, Mary sitting at Jesus’feet. Inscription, “In Heaven she will find her reward. In memory of RhodaM. Weaver.” The fourth has for its subject, Little Samuel praying.Inscription, “Speak Lord, thy servant heareth.” “In memory ofJulia Ann and Richard Henry, children of Thomas and Betty Weaver.” Thiswindow was put in by Hon. Thomas Weaver, of Sussex. The fifth represents theVirgin Mary with the infant Saviour on her lap, and has for its inscription,”A Mother in Israel.”. “In memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Weaver andher four children, James, Ruth, Jane Rebecca, and Stephen.” This window isto commemorate the wife of a beloved senior warden, Hon. James Weaver, who hadit erected for that purpose. The sixth and crowning window of the whole, is thatwhich adorns the chancel. It represents our Lord in the character of “TheGood Shepherd,” and has the words “I am the Good Shepherd,”inscribed upon it, as well as the words, “In memory of Wm. and Mary Weaver,and Rebecca their only daughter. Erected by their grandchildren.”This window is a perfect gem of its kind, and reflects great credit upon themaker, Mr. Robert Carse, of Chicago. Indeed the testimony to all the windows is,that they are beautiful works of art.
These windows add immensely to the harmony and beauty ofthe interior of St. Albans. It may well be questioned if there is now a morebeautiful and convenient rural church in the diocese of Wisconsin. It is prettywell understood that the other windows of the church will have stained memorialglass put in them before a great while. It ought here be stated that this parishgoes on the principle, “Owe no man anything,” and is consequently freefrom debt. (Source: Waukesha Freeman, Jan. 4, 1877, page 3,col. 4.)