St. James' Stained Glass Windows

Sitting in the sanctuary of St. James, you will notice the ray of light filtering through the beautiful stained glass windows. They are unique because they are very much like paintings from the traditional stained glass which are little shapes of glass.

Stained glass goes back to the Middle Ages, 1200s, or even up to Gothic and Romanesque Cathedrals. Most people could not read or write, so reading and writing was left to those who were in monasteries. The stained glass served as teaching instruments to these cathedrals so they could understand the Gospel, the message of love through Christ Jesus our Lord, through pictures.

	The Resurrection Window above the altar was given by Alice Brandenburg in memory of her husband, Alonzo Brandenburg, her parents, Mrs. and Mrs. George Faber, and her infant son, Rowe, who died at three years of age. Lake Alice, outside of the church, is named after her. She was treasurer of St. James for over forty years. Her husband died in the 1919 tornado. Alice was born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania on August 14, 1857, and came to Fergus Falls with her parents in 1870. Her husband was sheriff of Otter Tail County from 1883 to 1891, when he became president of the First State Bank. During World War II Alice was one of the women who made surgical dressings and hospital gowns.
	The Annunciation window was given by Mrs. Cyrus (Louise) Wright in memory of her mother, Mrs. Mary Ely Hannah, and was dedicated February 18, 1962. The Angel Gabriel is announcing to Mary that she will bear the Christ Child. Mary Ely was born in Northfield, Vermont on July 1, 1868. She came to Fergus Falls in 1893, rented an office and a typewriter and became the first stenographer in town. She married Robert Hannah on June 1, 1899, and they had one daughter, Louise, born November 26, 1905. Mary Hannah was crippled the last fifty years of her life, but she was still a very hard worker in this parish and instrumental in purchasing the church organ.
	The Nativity window was given by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Brown who were well known in this parish and in the city. Edward was the choir director in the first part of the century. His wife, Irene, was a Sunday school teacher. This window depicts the birth of Jesus and the Wise Men. Edward Brown was born October 25, 1859 in Baltimore, Maryland, and came to Fergus Falls March 11, 1882. He operated his own barber shop for fifty years. A fund for the preservation of the Brown window was established in 1964.
	The window Jesus Blessing the Children was was given by Walter and Sarah Windsor. The Windsors came to Fergus Falls from Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1899. Walter was born in Wheatchief, New Jersey on November 21, 1859, and was educated at Canaseraga and Hornettsville, New York. He went to Dakota in 1883, headquartering at Aberdeen. Sarah's maiden name was Sarah Tennant, daughter of Richard and Ann Livingston Tennant. As a young woman she moved with her parents to Faribault, Minnesota. Walter served on the vestry and as junior warden for many years. He was a member of the Red Cross, a director of First National Bank in Fergus, and from 1899 until his death was intersted in the milling business with his brother-in-law David Tennant. They owned and operated the Otter Tail Flour Mill and Fergus Flour Mill, which they consolidated. In 1904, they purchased a mill in Fargo, North Dakota, and the Globe Mill in Perham, Minnesota in 1912. Walter died March 30, 1930. A bequest of $3,000 from the estate of Sarah Windsor paid the mortgage on the rectory in 1941.
	The window of The Sermon on the Mount is in memory of George and Hettie Lowry, early parishioners of St. James. It was given by their daughter, Mildren (Mrs. J. Frank Shay), and their son, Markham, of Rochester, Minnesota. The window was dedicated February 18, 1962. George was born in Rochester, Minnesota, January 3, 1862, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Lowry, who was a member of the Minnesota Territorial Legislature. During the summer of 1871, George, age 10, and his older brother Will, walked from Rochester to Fergus Falls to visit their older brother, Milnor. Milnor was a pioneer grocer and baker. The two boys slept in the hayloft of the livery during their visit. As a teen, George returned to Fergus Falls. He became a partner in the Lake & Lowry Real Estate & Insurance Agency. He served for many years on the Water & Light Commission. Hettie's maiden name was Chamberlain, and she was born at Lima, New York, June 6, 1862. She came to Fergus Falls with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Chamberlain in 1881. Her father managed the new Grand Hotel at the corner of Lindoln and Vine. They later moved to Ontario, Canada. George and Hettie were married at Windsor, Ontario, April 7, 1886. They had three children: Mildred, George and Seldon. Seldon died in World War II when stricken with influenza. They were faithful members of St. James church. He was senior warden for many years, and senior warden emeritus at his death. In 1958, he made a generous donation for new lights, new hymnals and prayer books. George died November 15, 1961, and Hettie died February 20, 1952.
	Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane window in the west wall of the church, was dedicated September 27, 1935 in memory of Marjorie Webber Dell, by her husband Chief Justice Roger Dell, a member of the Minnesota Supreme Court. Marjorie was born in Fergus Falls December 3, 1894, and was a life-long member of St. James. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Webber, came to Fergus Falls in 1882 from Niles, Michigan. They were also parents of a son, Herbert. Marjorie used to drive her shetland pony around Lake Alice every day. She was a talented pianist and organist, and played for the church for many years. She was paid $3 a Sunday. Marjorie was also president of the Junior Auxiliary. Roger was born at Bird Island, Minnesota, July 19, 1897. He worked in construction in St. Paul during the day and attended Law school in the evening. He came to Fergus Falls in 1920 to be associated with attorney James A. Brown. Roger was a brilliant lawyer and developed a very successful practice. His fame as a defense attorney brought him clients from as far away as Chicago. Roger and Marjorie married March 15, 1923 at St. James Church. He became the senior partner of the firm Dell, Rosengren and Rufer following the death of James Brown, and was appointed Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court on January 12, 1953 by Governor C. Elmer Anderson. Six months later he was named Chief Justice. He was a member of the Bishop's Council of the Minnesota Diocese, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Minneapolis Episcopal Foundation. Marjorie died of cancer December 18, 1964, and Roger established a memorial fund for St. James in her memory. Her later married Agnes Collier, a native of the State of Virginia. Agnes was born August 12, 1904. They were married in Washington D.C. in 1941, and had a home in Fergus Falls on East Lakeside Drive. Agnes was interested in the work of St. James and also in the missionary work of the church. Agnes later died, and Roger's health failed. He died March 8, 1966. Prior to his death and Agnes' death, they established a considerable memorial fund for missionary work in the Episcopal Church to be administered by the Minneapolis Episcopal Foundation.
	Jesus, the Good Shepherd window was given by Mrs. W.B. (Sarah) Windsor in memory of her sister, Miss Anna Tennant. Anna Tennant was born in St. Lawrence County, New York and came with her parents, Richard and Ann Livingston Tennant, to Faribault, Minnesota, when a young woman. Later she moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota, to live with her brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Windsor. In 1899 she came to Fergus Falls to live with her brother, David A. Tennant, a widower, and help make a home for him and his two daughters, Gertrude and Florence. Mr. Tennant was in partnership with W. B. Windsor. They operated flour mills in Fergus Falls, Perham, and in Fargo, North Dakota. Anna Tennant never married. She took an active part in the St James Episcopal Parish. Anna was an enthusiastic worker in the Guild and Woman’s Auxiliary, and was also a member of the Woman’s Club and P.E.O. After the death of her brother-in-law, W.B Windsor, she became Secretary of the Wright Memorial Association. Anna Tennant died on February 1, 1935. She was survived by her sister, Sarah Windsor, her nieces, Gertrude Tennant and Mrs. William (Florence Tennant) McLaughlin, one nephew, Dr. Robert Windsor.