History of Saint James': The Appleton Window

Originally posted 12/03/2015

The oldest stained glass at Saint James’ Church is displayed in the Education Wing’s Choir Room.  It is a roundel, mounted inside and above the entry door.  Below the window is an inscription that reads:

“To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of 1868

Samuel Appleton Appleton    1966

Vestryman – Member of the Choir 1897-1960

Memorial Window from Appleton Chapel

Harvard University – Dedicated in 1858”

The Saint James’ dedication service, in June 1969, was conducted by the Rt. Rev. Robert F. Gibson, Bishop of Virginia, not long after the Education Wing was completed.  The window was given by Sam Appleton’s daughter, Sally Mitchell, – a fitting memorial to her father who had been a chorister at Saint James’ Church for 63 years.  On his 80th birthday, Mr. Appleton was asked what he considered his greatest achievement.  His reply: “that I sang in the St. James’ Church choir for more than fifty years.”

The window came from the 1858 Appleton Chapel at Harvard University, center of religious life at Harvard, and built by Sam Appleton’s forbear and namesake.  At that time, Morning Prayer was compulsory.  When attendance became voluntary in 1886, the College was left with a building that had become too large for Morning Prayer services and too small for Sunday services.  Thus in 1931, Appleton Chapel was torn down and replaced by the larger Memorial Church in 1932, a portion of which retains the Appleton name.  Artifacts from Appleton Chapel were obviously saved.

The life of forbear Samuel Appleton, 1776-1853, was an American success story.  He was a merchant and philanthropist, active in New England and Great Britain.  At his death, his fortune amounted to nearly $1,000,000, and he had already given away large sums.  By his will, he placed property in the amount of $200,000 in the hands of his executives, “to be by them applied, disposed of, and distributed, for scientific, literary, religious, and charitable purposes.”  Appleton Chapel was built five years after his death, in accordance with his wishes.  Saint James’ has a piece of that history.