The Choir Room
The Choir Room, behind a door on the right side of the chancel, could be called Joe Lowe's room as it has been the domain of St. Paul's masterful organist and choir director since 1970. In this room where the choir gathers, are four Powell windows: two depicting angels; a third, Saint Cecelia; a fourth, a young King David. All are appropriately playing musical instruments and are artistically rendered in the Powell style: solitary figures set against a background of rectangular panes of vividly colored glass.
Surrounded by these recent additions, Joe Lowe marvels at the added dimension they give the choir room. At certain times of day, when the light is just right, the room comes alive, not just with color, but with shimmering patterns of light reflected on the walls by the distinctive ripples in the glass.
Angel with a Lute, depicting an angel in a simple robe in shades of green and brown playing a lute, remembers Margaret Monsalvatge. In the words of Choir Director Lowe, "Margaret was a choir member and one of the dearest members of the Church." It is a testament to her that so that many parishioners, as well as her generous family, participated in the purchase of the window. In her later years, as she was losing her sight, parishioners picked her up every Sunday to bring her to church.
Angels with Flutes featuring two angels in garments in shades of brown playing the flute, was given by Jenkyn Powell of Powell Brothers & Sons Glass Art in memory of his wife, Valorie Clare Hatsis Powell. Although not a member of St. Paul's, Jenkyn Powell chose to honor those dearest to him in a church far from his Utah home.
David Playing the Lyre features David, the son of Jesse (Jesse Tree - Window #102) and ancestor of Jesus, who wisely governed the tribes of Israel. As a youth known for skillfully playing the lyre, he was called upon by King Saul to ease his troubled mind. (1 Samuel 16: 14-23) In a double entendre, blended into the art strokes of the lyre is a church mouse, for the ever-present Joe Lowe, honoree, and Luther's rose, a tribute to the Lutheran heritage of the donors, David D. and Irene Eyre.
The window honors and recognizes the dedication and contribution to St. Paul's of the man who has carried out his life's work in this room: Joe Lowe, Organist and Choir Director. The choice of the story of the young David, the noted musician, as the subject for the window is an appropriate tribute to Joe, whose wonderful and inspirational music has filled St. Paul's for so many years. The donors, David and Irene Eyer, involved parishioners of St. Paul's who now call Key West home after vacationing on the island for many years, wanted to honor Joe for him enormous contributions to St. Paul's.
The fourth window in the choir room, Saint Cecelia, is yet another generous donation from Jenkyn Powell of Powell Brothers & Sons Glass Art, this one in memory of his mother, Doris Auleen Napper Powell. Most suitable for the choir room, it features the patron saint of music, Saint Cecelia, playing the organ.
Epilogue
As one of the most recent windows to be dedicated in St. Paul's, David Playing the Lyre reflects on-going work of the church and captures the spirit of The Golden Cockerel.
The pictorial reference to David and his gift of music provides a biblical story beautifully rendered through the glorious artistry of painted light.
Organist and choir director Joe Lowe, the individual it honors, has filled St. Paul's with music for 35 years. He has given his gift to the congregation for so long that his glorious music is as much a part of the essence of the church as are the beautiful windows. Joe also represents the generational continuity of families who have established the deep and solid roots so evident in the island community. Born in Key West, Joe is a seventh generation Conch, a descendent of the brother of John Lowe, Jr., donor of the center panel of the Crucifixion (Window #117), whose family originally came from the Bahamas.
Since its first settlers, people moving to Key West have brought with them ideas and customs from their place of origin, contributing to its unique character. Whereas many of the early settlers came here through the maritime, cigar and fishing industries, most present day residents come from a myriad of backgrounds and professions and are lured to the island after a first encounter as a tourist.
If Joe is a link to the past, the donors of the window, David and Irene Eyer, who first came to Key West on vacation, represent the present. Exemplifying the on-going generosity and involvement of the congregation of St. Paul's in their church and in their community, they add yet another important layer to the permanent foundation of this interesting island.
In St. Paul's Church, the Eyers have found a community within a community. According to David, in this special church on this unique island he has found something beyond the gratification of attending inspirational services in a beautiful church filled with magnificent windows. Amid "a wonderful mixed up bunch of people, both those whose families have been here for generations and relatively new ones like me, I have found that 95 percent of what you receive from the experience is in your heart and mind. The parishioners make it that way."
Source: The Golden Cockerel: The Art, Symbolism & History of the Stained Glass Windows, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Key West, Florida by Winifred Shine Fryzel.
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