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Built in 1868 as “... a fair reproduction of the best type of English rural churches,” St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church was made possible through the beneficence of a local business and the desire and dedication of Charles Payn, MD for the specific purpose of building a house of worship and provide religious services and education.
The stained glass windows at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church are referenced in the Vestry records at various times in the church history when they required maintenance and/or repair. The Rev. Lowery’s historical documentation first sets the period during which they were installed as in the late 1800s, perhaps between 1872 and 1892. To date, no record has been uncovered that would indicate where they originated or who the artisan(s) may have been. When one examines each window first hand, it is quite evident that each is indeed a work of art. Exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail give the designs a three-dimensional look which is rarely matched by most works of today.
Utilizing limited funds, timely repairs have kept the windows in fairly good condition for approximately 115–135 years. A plaque on the inside front door of the church indicates:
“Stained Glass Windows Partly Refinished 1966
In Memory
Elinore Phillips
Philip Carleton Ford”
 Upon entering St. Stephen’s through the bell tower door, the front door to the nave is to the immediate right. Click on links below within the sketch for a photographic tour of the sights within this unique reproduction of the best type of English rural churches.
| In addition to the plaque mentioned above, three other plaques can be seen on the inside of the front door:
“In Loving Memory Of
Your Servant
F. Henry Heighton”
“In Loving Memory Of
Your Servant
Warren E. Towns”
“In Memoriam
George S. Lowber 1876–1946
Whose love for the faith and devotion
to St. Stephen’s Church, made possible
an endowment, guild rooms, and a new organ”
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| When you enter the church, you are facing the baptismal font. Purchased by Dr. Payn, it was first used on Good Friday 1869 although the building was not complete at that time.
On the font one may read the inscription “One Faith. One Lord. One Baptism.”
The baptismal ewer was manufactured by Gorhay Mfg. Co. and numbered “1210.” It is inscribed as follows:
“St. Stephen’s Church
Schuylerville, NY
from
St. Agnes’ Guild
Easter 1906”
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| When one turns right past the baptismal font, Window A on the east wall, with the Greek abbreviation of Jesus’ name, is visible.
It bears a dedication to John H. Lowber and Priscilla Strover. The Lowber and Strover families were loyal supporters of the parish that had begun with the building of the church edifice by Charles Payn, MD, a Strover son-in-law.
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The windows at the back of the nave (the north wall) depict three people of great biblical importance.
The first window shows St. Paul. This window is dedicated to Lt. Col. C.R. Mudge.
The center window portrays the “Good Samaritan,“ and is reminiscent of the preparation of Jesus’ body by Joseph of Arimithea for burial on Good Friday. This window is dedicated to George Strover and Eliza Brasier.
The last window shows St. Peter. This window is dedicated to Samuel Payn and Rebekah Northrop.
There is a dedication and gifts book encased beneath the windows. Alongside this is a pair of apparently hand crafted candlesticks made of wood and brass, their creation date can only be assumed to be around the time of the church’s construction. They are inscribed:
“St. Stephen’s Church from
Charles Henry Payn
and His Daughter”
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The baptismal font is highlighted in this west wall window, opposite Window A. The unique creative style of all of the windows are especially highlighted here in the font itself. The painting of the stained glass, shown in the detail below, is characteristic of the artistry of the period. It gives the font a 3-D look.
The window is dedicated to Thomas J. and Helen (Davison) Bullard, daughter of a silversmith and longtime Warden of the church.
 
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Observe the intricate detail of the tile-like mosaic background of this west wall window, opposite the front door. The window is a commemoration to Christ the King, celebrated the last Sunday before Advent.
This window is dedicated to the Rev. Reuben (“Ruben” according to the window) Hubbard, a missionary-minded priest from Stillwater, who celebrated regular services starting in 1838.
 
A memorial plaque to honor those parishioners who gave their lives in war is seen on the west wall between the previous window and the next. It is inscribed as follows:
“In Memoriam
~~~
World War II
Richard Davison Bullard
David MacDonald Murray
~~~
World War I
Eugene Walter Towns”
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Continuity of style appeared to be a contributing factor in the design of some of the windows. Windows D and E may have been constructed at the same time as hinted at by the same mosaic background pattern in the glass. This west wall window, opposite Window H, is reminiscent of Christ’s first miracle at Cana where he turned water into wine. It also reminds us of the Last Supper when Christ instructed His disciples “Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:26; King James Version c. 1890).
There is no dedication on this window because of the replacement of the dedication panel due to breakage. The window is in memory of John H. Preston.
 
A plaque is seen on the west wall between the previous window and the organ. It bears the inscription:
“To the Glory of God and In Loving Memory of
Capt. Edward Cochran Gow, MD
November 21, 1882–July 16, 1928
and
James Cleveland Gow, DDS
November 26, 1886–August 28, 1911
Communicants of this church and sons of Frank F. Gow, MD and Mary Cochran Gow”
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The Jardine organ stands on the west wall opposite Window G. For a complete description, please go to Our History, Appendix 2. You must press the Back button on your browser to return to this page.
The plaque on the organ reads:
“Organ restored 1963
to the Glory of God
and memory of
George Lowber”
 
The normal construction of churches is based upon the cross. The transept (shorter axis of the cross) is usually oriented north to south while the long axis is east to west. In St. Stephen’s case, the transept runs east to west while the long axis runs north to south.
Three steps from the transept lead up to the sanctuary on the south end of the church. From the transept, you can see the Rector’s lectern (on the left facing the sanctuary) and the Reader’s lectern (on the right).
The Rector’s lectern has a plaque which is inscribed as follows:
“To the Glory of God
and in thankful remembrance of
His inestimable blessing vouchsafed
through His church to His servant
Herbert W. Tifford
Born 1859
Died 1899”
Two collection plates are stored at the Rector’s lectern. One reads:
“Be merciful after thy power”
and is engraved:
“Presented by the Choir, Christmas-tide 1895”
The other reads:
“Godliness is great riches”
and is engraved:
“Presented by Emmy Menges-Burt, Christmas-tide 1895”
Rector’s Lectern |
Reader’s Lectern |
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The altar stands in the chancel along the south side of the church. It is adorned with the Greek symbols “A”(Alpha – meaning “the beginning”) and “W” (Omega – meaning “the end”) and a middle inscription reading “IHS” (the Greek abbreviation for the first three letters of Jesus’ name: iota [I] = J, eta [H] = e, sigma [an adapted S] = s).
A cross on the altar is inscribed with:
“In Memory Of
Martha Speirs
Died November 24, 1895
In the Communion of the Catholic Church”
The eucharist celebration paraphernalia lies along side the altar. Included in this collection are two sterling silver pieces, a small bowl for the washing of the hands inscribed with:
“IN MEMORIAM
Ross (D1948) and Grace (D1947) Hewitt
Easter 1950”
and a eucharist holder inscribed with:
“In Loving Memory Of
Frances C. Allen
from her
parents, brother and sister”
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The windows behind the altar illustrate three major events.
  
On the left, we see the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist. This window is dedicated to Henry McCoy and Matilda E. Strover.
The center window shows the martyrdom of St. Stephen for whom the church is named. This window is dedicated to Charles H. Payn and Julia Anna Strover.
On the right, the window reminds us of the end of Christ’s ministry at the Last Supper and the institution of communion with the symbols of the bread and wine as the body and blood of Christ. Note: The figure receiving communion is depicted as a beardless young man thought to be the “beloved disciple.” This window is dedicated to Charles E. Bleecher and Grace Strover.
Once again, the painted detail, as seen in the inset below, is incredible, demonstrating the artistry of the period.
 
A plaque is seen on the east wall of the sanctuary. It bears the inscription:
“To the Glory of God and In Loving Memory of
Eleutheros Jay Cooke
May 24, 1847–October 27, 1908
Our Beloved Rector and Friend
From December 1896 until the day of his death
~~~
Well done thou good and faithful servant
Enter thou into the joy of the Lord
Matt. 25:21”
The altar area houses a staved cross used for processions. It bears an inscription:
“In Memory of
John A. & Ruth S. Corey
Given by Josephine Corey
Christmas Day
1949”
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| This east wall window shows the Holy Family: Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. Jesus is blessing a youth thought to be his cousin, John the Baptist (noted by the fur lining the inside of John’s garb). This picture is particularly noteworthy because Jesus is holding a cross. The cross was not a common icon in His day.
The window bears no dedication.
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| A plaque is seen on the east wall between the previous window and the next. It bears the inscription:
“Richard D. Bullard, MD
1904–1943
Lt. Cmdr. USNR
Surgeon — Patriot — Churchman”
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| This east wall window shows Ruth (from the Book of Ruth) bringing in the sheaves.
Coincidentally, it bears a dedication to Ruth S. Strover, as well as John A. Corey.
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An image of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove serves as a skylight, located above the south window depicting the martyrdom of St. Stephen.
Once again the mosaic detail appears in this beautiful example of stained glass.
 
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A massive restoration project is contemplated for these historic windows in order that they might be preserved for the benefit of the future communicants of St. Stephen’s. Potential steps in this process include:
- Registration of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in the National Registry of Historic Landmarks.
- Application for grants to help finance the restoration project.
- Financial support from the Albany Episcopal Diocese.
- Financial support from St. Stephen’s parishioners.
The successful completion of such a project will ensure that these works of art will endure for another 135 years at least.
We hope you have enjoyed your tour through our little church.
The “News” and “Donations” sections of this website will keep information regarding the forthcoming stained glass windows project in the forefront. Please check it regularly for updates. Thank you.
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