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The Stained Glass of Christ Church

HISTORY OF THE WINDOWS

On October 28, 1906, The Times, a Chattanooga newspaper, included an article about the awarding of the Christ Church building contract.  Listed among intended interior furnishings are the following words:  “Stained glass windows will be put in later by members of the church as memorials.”

Some eighty years later, Senior Warden Gary England, parishioners Chesley (Ches) Ewton and Jerry Martin; and Father Harry Lawrence and his wife Sue were able to purchase antique stained-glass panels and hexafoils from an antique store in Manchester, Tennessee.  The stained glass remained in storage for another fifteen years until parishioner Elise (Leasty) Chapman began to repair the rose window above the altar and discovered the panels and hexafoils stored in the tower.

With the assistance of her mother Evangeline LeNoir who designed the windows and her husband Dan Chapman who helped install them, Leasty created twenty-two gothic style windows for the nave using the panels and hexafoils, parts of the original old amber glass and new stained glass in colors designed to tie in with the rose window.

The last of the nave windows was completed and blessed on the Feast of Christ the King in 2004.

Windows in the Lady Chapel and the narthex were completed and blessed individually throughout the next two years, followed by the windows in the priest’s sacristy and the working sacristy.  Theses windows were also designed by Evangeline LeNoir, created by Leasty Chapman and installed by Leasty with the help of her husband Dan Chapman.

THE STAINED GLASS PANELS AND HEXAFOILS

The hexafoils are depictions of parts of a litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary known as the Litany of Our Lady of Loreto.  Tradition says that the house where Mary was born and where the Annunciation took place was scooped up by a band of angles from the Holy Land and transported first to Tersato, Dalmatia in 1291, Reananti in 1294 and finally to Loreto in Italy.

THE NAVE WINDOWS

The windows are divided by number and location.  The window numbers begin at the shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary and end at the shrine of St. Joseph on the opposite wall.

Window 3

Hexafoil:
Green/gold flower with six petals

As the Light of God shines
through this window, so It
shines through the lives of
the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Mary Leslie, & Mary McLean

Window 2

Panel:
Rosa Mystica
Mystical Rose

To the Glory of God
and in Honor of
Mary Ann and
Orrin Frederick Ball

Window 1

Hexafoil:
Green/gold flower with six petals

In Loving Gratitude
for the Life
of
Evangeline Ball LeNoir


Window 6

Panel:
Domus Aurea
House of Gold

In thanksgiving for
the caring ministry and
loving community that is
Christ Church
Ralph & Barbara Kelley

Window 5

Panel:
Speculum Justiciae
Mirror of Justice

In Thanksgiving for
the life and Ministry
of
the Reverend Doctor
Harry M. Lawrence

Window 4

Panel:
Sedes Sapientia
Seat of Wisdom

In Loving Memory
of Novella Blevins Foster
1917-2001


Window 9

Panel:
Eburnea Turris
Tower of Ivory

In Thanksgiving
for
Ronnie D. Minton
Our Godfather
and Mentor

The Hullander Children

Window 8

Panel:
Jana Cali
Gate of Heaven

In Thanksgiving for
Dakota Blaze and
Phoenix Alexander
Hullander
2003

Window 7

Panel:
Turris Davidica
Tower of David
(Includes a harp, a symbol of David)

In Thanksgiving
for Caleb Lewis
Hullander
2003


Window 12

Hexafoil:
Blue flower with six petals

In Thanksgiving for
the Light and Laughter
of
Langdon Brooks
Montague
by Carol Anne Lawrence

Window 11

Panel:
Foederis Arca
Arc of Covenant

In Thanksgiving for
Garvin McMillin Colburn
and
Charles Storey
Colburn, Jr.

Window 10

Hexafoil:
Green/gold flower with six petals

In Thanksgiving
for
Walter B. Wooten
and
Lillian S Wooten


Window 13

Hexafoil:
Blue flower with six petals

In Thanksgiving
For
Arthur E. Yates
and Roberta M. Yates


Window 16

Panel:
IHS
The first three letters of the Greek spelling of Jesus

In Loving Memory of
The Right Reverend
Reginald Mallett
And
Lucy Murchison Mallett

Window 15

Panel:
Three interwoven circles,
Symbol of the unity of the triune God

In Loving Memory
Of
Ruth Walker

Window 14

Panel:
With wheat sheaf,
Symbol of the Bread of Life

In thanksgiving for the
life, labor, and artistry of
Elise LeNoir Chapman
by whose hands these
windows were wrought


Window 19

Panel:
Agnus Dei
Lamb of God

In Memory of Robert Duncan by
Mary Carter Duncan

Window 18

Panel:
Budded cross with golden rays,
Rays are ancient symbols of
divine power

In Loving Memory of
Reverend Doctor
Robert Boatwright
By Wife Charlotte
And Family

Window 17

Panel:
Fountain of all Mercies

In Memory of
Verlon Clyde
Leftwich, Jr.
“Skip”
1944-2001


Window 22

Hexafoil:
Blue flower with six petals

In Loving Memory
of
Bertram E. LeNoir, Jr.

Window 21

Panel:
Depicts three white lilies,
Symbol of Our Lady

In Memory of
John Paul Carter
By
Paul Carter, Jr.
And Jane Carter

Window 20

Hexafoil:
Blue flower with six petals

In Thanksgiving
for the Life of
Mary Carter Duncan


LADY CHAPEL WINDOWS

The windows over the altar are predominantly blue and were given by parishioners.

The remaining windows are located on the epistle side of the Lady Chapel.  All the windows are similar in color with the dedications in panels set in the lower half of the window.  The dedications begin with the window nearest the altar.

Window 1

In Thanksgiving for
the lives of
Thomas &
Rebecca Hogue

Window 2

To the Glory of God
and in Thanksgiving
for the Ministry
Of our Rector
The Rev. Jocelyn J. Bell

Window 3

In Thanksgiving to God
for
James Hubert Taliaferro, Jr.
and
Joel Williams Murchison

Ecce, qua bonum


Window 4

In thanksgiving for
the life of
Sue Lawrence
by her grandson
Henry Hayes Montague

Window 5

Amazing Grace

Farris L. Mulkey, Jr.
Sept. 11, 1935
Feb. 3, 2000

Window 6

In Gratitude for
Our Family

Bob & Charlotte
Boatwright


Other Windows

Priest Sacristy Window

To the Glory of God
and in Gratitude
for
the life of
William H. McCroskey, Jr.

Working Sacristy Window

In Thanksgiving
for
Madison Nicole
Hullander
2007

Narthex Windows

Window 1

In Thanksgiving
for the Life
of
Ron Dixon

Window 2

Given to the Glory
of
Christ Church

BIOGRAPHIES BY FAMILY

The Ball/LeNoir/Chapman Family

Windows 1, 2, 14, 22 Nave

Window 1, Nave
Evangeline Ball LeNoir (1927-2011) was an artist, designer, and long-time parishioner of Christ Church.  She was the daughter of Mary Ann and Orrin Frederick Ball.  She designed the windows in the nave to incorporate the stained glass hexafoils and panels.  She also designed the windows in the Lady Chapel, nave, narthex, and both sacristies.  This window was given in loving gratitude of her life by her children:  Mullie LeNoir, Bo LeNoir, Ann LeNoir Mathis, and Elise (Leasty) LeNoir Chapman.

Window 2, Nave
Mary Ann and Orin Frederick Ball were parents of Evangeline LeNoir and long-time parishioners of Christ Church.  The window was given in their honor by the LeNoir Family.

Window 14, Nave
Elise LeNoir Chapman, better known as Leasty, is responsible for carrying out the design and, with the help of her husband Dan Chapman, installing all the Christ Church windows.  She is the granddaughter of Mary Ann and Frederick Orrin Ball and the daughter of Bertram E. LeNoir, Jr. and Evangeline LeNoir.  This window was given by the LeNoir family.

Window 22, Nave
Bertram E. LeNoir, Jr. was the husband of Evangeline LeNoir and father of Mullie LeNoir, Bo LeNoir, Ann LeNoir Mathis, and Elise (Leasty) LeNoir Chapman.  This window was given by the LeNoir family.

The Reverend Jocelyn J. Bell

Window 2, Lady Chapel

The Rev. Jocelyn J. Bell (1941 – ) is the daughter of Rosemary and Henry Jones and grew up in Baltimore, MD.  She graduated from Mount Holyoke college and Yale University Divinity School.  Prior to moving to Illinois with her former husband, Allan Bell, in 1969, she served as Director of Christian Education for three Episcopal churches in Connecticut.  While living in Normal, Illinois, she served two terms on the Normal Town Council and worked as a systems analyst for the McLean County Government.  Mother Bell received the M. Div. degree from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and was ordained deacon in 1993 and priest in 1994.  Before coming to Christ Church she was Vicar of Trinity Episcopal Church in Kirksville, MO.  She was installed as Rector of Christ Church in 1999.  She is the mother of Amy Calhoun and James Bell and the grandmother of Clarence, Gabriella, Naomi, Terrell, Connor and William.  The window was given by Christ Church parishioners to the Glory of God and in thanksgiving for her ministry.

The Boatwright/Foster Family

Windows 4, 18, Nave

Window 6 Lady Chapel

Window 4, Nave
Novella Blevins Foster (1917-2001) was the mother of Dr. Charlotte Boatwright, a parishioner of Christ Church.  She was born in Decherd, Tennessee and moved to Chattanooga as a child.  She was a devout Christian and relied heavily on her faith when two of her children died at an early age.  Her faith, courage and belief in God were passed on to her family.  This window was given in loving memory of her by the Boatwright family.

Window 18, Nave
The Reverend Robert Boatwright, M.D. (1927-2001) was the husband of Dr. Charlotte Boatwright.  After thirty-five hears of service as a physician, he left his medical practice for seminary in January 1988 and was ordained to the priesthood on August 19, 1989.  A healer all his adult life, he incorporated his caring concern and sensitivity to the needs of people into his ministry.  This window was given in loving memory of him by his wife, Dr. Charlotte Boatwright and his family.

Window 6, Lady Chapel
The Boatwright Family window was given by Drs. Robert and Charlotte Boatwright in gratitude for their family, especially their children, Lynn Kay, Karen Jean, Melody Susan, Janis Ann, Mary Ruth and April Celeste; their grandchildren, Lauren, Katie, Erik, Joshua, Adam and Jentry; and great grandchildren, Spencer and Sydney.

The Carter/Duncan Family

Windows 19, 20, 21, Nave

Window 19, Nave
Robert Duncan, M.D. (d. 1997) moved to Chattanooga from Texas in 1984.  Although a Quaker he was very supportive of Christ Church and attended service regularly.  He died in 1997 and his funeral was held at Christ Church.  This window was given in memory of her husband by Mary Carter Duncan.

Window 20, Nave
Mary Carter Duncan (1924 – ) is a long-time and faithful parishioner of Christ Church.  She has quietly aided parish and church needs.  This window was given by the children of Mary Carter Duncan (Dr. Jane Carter and Dr. Paul Carter, Jr.) in thanksgiving for her life.

Window 21, Nave
John Paul Carter, Jr., M.D. (1921-1976) was born in Washington, D.C. and was confirmed at St. Albans Episcopal Church, Washington, D.C.  He was educated at George Washington University, the University of Virginia, Charlottesville and the University of Michigan.  He moved to Chattanooga in 1954 and practiced Pulmonary Surgery until his death in 1976.  He was very active at Christ Church and served on the vestry several times. 

This window was given in his memory by his children Dr. Paul Carter, Jr. and Dr. E. Jane Carter.

John Paul Carter. Jr., PH. D. (1951 – ) was born in Charlottesville Virginia, christened at Christ Church in Charlottesville and served at the altar at Christ Church, Chattanooga.  His field of study is drug research and his is employed by ASSI Drugs in North Andover, Massachusetts.

E. Jane Carter, M.D. was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  She is an associate professor of medicine a researcher specializing in TB and AIDS at Brown University.  Her focus in international and primarily in Kenya.

The Colburn Family

Window 11, Nave

Charles Storey Colburn, Jr. (1918 – 2005) was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  During World War II he was a chemist with the Tennessee Eastman Corporation in Kingsport, Tennessee and worked on a secret project that ultimately resulted in the atomic bomb.  He married Garvin McMillin in 1943.  After the war, they returned to Chattanooga where he was a research and development chemist of the Chattanooga Medical Company (Chattem).  H was awarded Chemist of the Year by the Chattanooga chapter of the American Chemical Society.  He was an indefatigable traveler and a superb photographer.  He had a keen interest in astronomy and built and ground the lenses for two telescopes.  He taught celestial navigation to yacht owners in the US Power Squadron for several years, and served a term as Squadron Commander.  He was the father of three daughters (Rosie, Ariel and Celia) and grandfather to two children.

(Minnie) Garvin McMillin Colburn (1920 – 2021) was born in Chattanooga.  Her father was an army officer and her family lived in many places in the US, Puerto Rico and Hawaii.  During the war she worked at disparate jobs in Kingsport, Tennessee.  After the war, she and her husband returned to the Chattanooga area where for six years she taught at Lookout Mountain Elementary School, and for twenty-three years was an English and math teacher at Lookout Valley Junior High School.  She was baptized at Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church, Chattanooga and was confirmed at Schofield Barrack Post Church by the Bishop of Hawaii.  She was married at Thankful Memorial.  Although her husband was a member of The Church of the Good Shepherd on Lookout Mountain and sang in the choir, he was very supportive of Garvin and her work at Christ Church.  She was attracted to Christ Church initially by the Mrs. And Miss Gail Hammond and the eminent scholar rector Father Fox.  She served on the vestry many times and for four years was the treasurer during extremely difficult times when no man would accept the position.

The window was given in thanksgiving by the Colburn family.

Ron Dixon

Narthex

Ron Dixon (1943 – ) is the owner of Premier Spa Salon in Chattanooga and has been a Christ Church parishioner for 38 years.  He has been a member of the vestry and has served as Junior Warden.

This window was given by friends in thanksgiving for his life.

Thomas and Rebecca Hogue

Window 1, Lady Chapel

Thomas Hogue (1930 – ) was a local news broadcaster in Chattanooga.

Rebecca Milland Hogue (1934 – ) was homemaker and mother of three children.  They are the parents of Becky Smartt McDonald who gave the window in thanksgiving for their lives.

Hullander/Minton Family

Windows 7, 8, and 9, Nave and Working Sacristy

Window 7
Caleb Lewis Hullander (2003 – )

Window 8
Dakota Blaze Hullander (2000 – )

Phoenix Alexander Hullander (2002 – )

Window 9
Ronnie Doyle Minton (1964 – )

Working Sacristy
Madison Nicole Hullander (2007 – )

Dakota and Phoenix Hullander are the children of Ramsay Hullander; Caleb and Madison are the children of Justin and Tiffany Hullander.  All four children are the grandchildren of Larry Ernest Hullander (1948 – ) and his partner Ronnie Doyle Minton, the children’s’ honorary grandfather, godfather and mentor.  Larry is an elementary school teacher and Ronnie is the advertising promotions manager for WRCB-TV in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The two grandfathers gave the windows in honor and thankfulness for their grandchildren and the four grandchildren gave the window in thanksgiving for Ronnie Minton.  The Hullander/Minton family members are faithful parishioners of Christ Church.

Ralph and Barbara Kelley

Window 6, Nave

Ralph Houston Kelley (1928-2004) was appointed as congressional page for Tennessee representative Estes Kefauver in 1941, later serving as the first page to serve Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn, a position he held until 1946.

Ralph was an Air Force veteran of World War II and later graduated from the University of Chattanooga with a B.A. degree and then earned his J.D. degree from Vanderbilt University Law School, after which he returned to Chattanooga to start his own law firm with classmate J. F. DiRiisio.  He was assistant attorney general for Hamilton County and later a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1959-1961.  He served the City of Chattanooga as mayor from 1963 – 1969, when he was appointed to the Bankruptcy Court bench, officially retiring in 1993, but retaining his status as Senior Judge.  He served on many national bankruptcy and judicial organizations and received many awards in recognition of his leadership both there and in the National Conference of Mayors.

At Christ Church he served as chairman of the search committee for a new rector and he and his wife Barbara served as joint chairs of the organ fund-raising committee for the tracker organ.  He has also been active with ECSET, serving that organization as president in the 1980s.  He was a life member of the Tennessee Jaycees, has been president of the Exchange Club and the Kiwanis Club of Chattanooga and was past commodore of the Chattanooga Boating Club, as well as being active in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Barbara Kelley. Ralph and Barbara transferred into Christ Church in the late 1980s and were active members from then on.  Barbara is a devoted member of the choir and has maintained the lector rota for over ten years.  She is also active in many civic and musical organizations and has served on boards for the Moccasin Bend Girl Scout council, Chattanooga Track Club, Chattanooga Swim League, Chattanooga Music Club, Opera Association, UTC Mocs Club, St. Matthew’s Nigh Shelter, Metropolitan Ministry and ProReBona Day Nursery.  She has also been office manager for the United Fund and was portable meals counselor and bookkeeper for Senior neighbors for over twenty years.

This window was given in honor of Christ Church by Judge Ralph Kelley, a longtime advocate for justice for all people, and his wife Barbara.

The Lawrence/Montague Family

Windows 5, 12, Nave

Window 4, Lady Chapel

Window 5, Nave
The Reverend Harry Martin Lawrence, M.D. (1931 – ) is a native of Lookout Mountain, an ophthalmic surgeon practicing and teaching in Chattanooga, and he served for 25 years as Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga Medical School.  After ordination to the diaconate, followed by ordination to the priesthood on June 10, 1978, he served as interim priest at St. Martin’s, Chattanooga, and St. Mary the Virgin, Chattanooga.  He is a non-stipendiary clergy member at Christ Church.  Father Harry is much loved by the parishioners at Christ Church, and they gave the window in love and in honor of his life and ministry both in the church and in the field of medicine.

Window 12, Nave
Langdon Brooks Montague (1994 – ) is the first born son of Brooke and Langdon Montague and the grandson of Father Harry and Sue Lawrence.  The widow is given in thanksgiving for him by his aunt and godmother Carol Anne Lawrence Thornton.  Carol and Brooke served every Sunday for 6 ½ years as Christ Church’s first female acolytes.

Window 4, Lady Chapel
Sue Lawrence (1938 – ) is the wife of Father Harry Lawrence, mother of Robert, Susan, Steven, Carol and Brooke, and grandmother of David and Grace Brooks, Taylor and Graham Lawrence, and Brooks and Henry Montague.  Sue was the first female elected to the Christ Church vestry, serving for three terms; one as program warden.  Under her wardenship, work was commenced culminating in the Community Kitchen.  She and Father Harry are in part responsible for the acquisition of the hexafoils and panels displayed in the nave windows.  The window was given in thanksgiving for her life by her grandson Henry Hayes Montague.

Verlon Clyde (“Skip”) Leftwich

Window 17, Nave

Verlon Clyde (“Skip”) Leftwich (1944-2001) was a longtime and well-loved parishioner of Christ Church.  He served on the vestry as Junior Warden, Senior Warden and Treasurer.  Among the many services he offered Christ Church:  he maintained the lector rota, he served on a rector search committee, the garden committee and was influential in forming Integrity Chattanooga.  He sang in both the church choir and the Chattanooga Bach Choir.  He was respected and loved by all and did all things well, unselfishly and humbly:  always willing and without complaint.

The window was given in his memory by friends and parishioners.

Mallett/Murchison/Taliaferro Family

Window 16, Nave

Window 3, Lady Chapel

Window 16, Nave
The Right Reverend Reginald Mallett (1893-1965), Bishop of Northern Indiana was Interim Rector of Christ Church from November, 1931 to January, 1933.  Lucy Murchison Mallett was the maternal aunt of Father Joel Williams (Bill) Murchison.

Window 3, Lady Chapel
James Hubert Taliaferro, Jr. (1924-2004) was a longtime close friend and companion of Father Murchison.

The Reverend Joel Williams (Bill) Murchison (1924-2018) was the godson of Reginald and Lucy Mallett.  He was a retired priest and longtime worshiper at Christ Church and gave both windows in thanksgiving to God.

The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mary Leslie, and Mary McLean

Window 3, Nave

The Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Mary Leslie grew up during the depression and became the sole financial support of her family.  Mary retained a life-long interest in women both in scripture and her daily life.

Mary McLean (1915 – ) Hardworking, loving, caring and a blessing to all are among the words used to describe Mary.  As a young woman during the depression she played the piano in bars to support her family.  She worked for the Federal Government as a secretary.  Currently, Mary resides at St. Barnabas, a retirement home of the Episcopal Church in Chattanooga.

Barbara Newton, DVM gave this window with love, honor and thanksgiving for the three women named Mary who have been and are a wonderful example of womanhood and influence and guide her life.

William H. McCroskey, Jr.

Priest’s Sacristy

Anne Johnston McCroskey (1922-2009) was the widow of William H. McCroskey and the mother of W. H. McCroskey III, Sam H. McCroskey, Joseph J. McCroskey and Fred B. McCroskey and grandmother of Joseph J. McCroskey, Jr.  Her sons Joseph and Fred preceded her in death.  Born in Camden, New Jersey, she was raised in Mississippi and Tennessee and was a longtime resident of Chattanooga.

She graduated from Huntington College in Alabama and worked for TVA as a mapmaker during World War II.  She earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga and taught adult education.  She was an avid reader, traveler and gardener.

She gave the window to the glory of God and in gratitude for the life of her husband, William H. McCroskey, Jr.

Farris L. Mulkey, Jr.

Window 5, Lady Chapel

Farris L. Mulkey, Jr. (1935-2000) was married to Claire Pollard Mulkey and had four children:  Sharon Denise Mulkey (1957 – ), William Farris Mulkey (1958 – )m Cynthia Elaine Mulkey (1962 – ) and Victoria Shannon Mulkey Cook (1972 – ); seven grandchildren James Bradley Allen (1977-), Linsey Denise Allen (1981-), Christina Airielle Soleil Mulkey (1989-), Shannon Starr Ewing (1992-), Cynthia Denise Cook (1992-), Christopher Jordan Mulkey (1933-) Amber Riley Cook (2002- ); and two great grandchildren Christopher Logan Allen (2003- ) and Graelon Jabari Mulkey (2009- ).  He was an alumnus of McCallie School, The University of Chattanooga and as a member of Lamba Chi Alpha.

The window was given by his wife in thanksgiving for his life.

Ruth DeRamos Walker

Window 15, Nave

Ruth DeRamos Walker lived most of her life in Chattanooga.  She taught in Michigan and in Chattanooga public schools and was a faithful communicant of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin until it closed.  Ruth left a bequest to Christ Church and, at the suggestion of her friend Mary Duncan, the Vestry designated a portion of this for the window in her memory. She is notably the only African American among those memorialized in the windows.

Walter B. Wooten, Jr. and Lillian S. Wooten

Window 10, Nave

Walter B. Wooten,  Jr. and Lillian S. Wooten were parishioners of Christ Church.  Walter was President of the Interstate Fire Insurance Company in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Lillian is the daughter of the late artist Rudolph J. Shutting.

Arthur E. Yates and Roberta M. Yates

Window 13, Nave

Arthur E. Yates and his wife Roberta M. Yates were parishioners and benefactors of Christ Church.  Arthur Yates founded the Yates Bleachery Company in 1920 which is now run by his descendants.  The couple set up The Yates Trust which benefits Christ Church and three other institutions.  Money from the Trust enables Christ Church to continue to offer services to the people of Chattanooga.

The window was given in thanksgiving by Christ Church parishioners.