Christ Among the Doctors (Right Panel Detail)
Phipps, Ball & Burnham 1920
In Loving Memory of
George Whiting Allen 1854 - 1922 &
Leonor Ximenez Allen 1855 - 1942
Samuel Mason Goldsmith & Lilla Allen Goldsmith
William Richard Warren & Genevieve Allen Warren
DESCRIPTION: Through the detailed facial expressions and the hand gestures, the artist conveys the attentiveness of the elders of the Temple as they listen to the young Jesus. The richness of their dress symbolizes their stature and stands out in contrast to the simplicity of the youth's white robes.
MEMORIAL: Since the window is in memory of an entire family, it is fitting that the story of the wedding of Genevieve and Richard is recounted to provide a glimpse into life in Key West in the early 20th century.
It was January 21, 1911. St. Paul's third church had been destroyed in the hurricane of 1909. Genevieve Allen and Dr. William R. Warren would be married in an Episcopal ceremony at the nearby Old Stone Methodist Church, with The Reverend C. T. Stout, rector of St. Paul's officiating.
The church was crowded inside and out for this was a brilliant social event. When the strains of the wedding march burst forth, all eyes turned towards the door. After the bridesmaids came the maid of honor, Lilla Allen, sister of the bride, wearing pink marquisette over blue satin, trimmed in pink marabou and lace. Her headdress was pink tulle and blue marabou. She carried a bouquet of La France roses. Then the bride entered. Escorted by her father, Hon. George W. Allen, she wore a satin wedding gown with a crystal bodice trimmed with handsome pearls and heirloom lace. Her long tulle veil was caught up with orange blossoms bodice and she carried a shower bouquet of bride's roses and lilies of the valley.
Waiting at the altar was the groom, Dr. William R. Warren. The wedding was performed under a large white wedding bell, suspended by a triangle trimmed with greens and pink roses. The triangle and the bel were illuminated by many miniature pink and blue electric lights. The mother of the bride, Leonor Ximenez Allen wore a stunning gown of black spangled beaded net over white satin.
One of the important moments of the event was the cutting of the heart-shaped wedding cake at the reception. The custom at the time was to place various articles in the cake batter before baking: a ring to signify an early wedding; a dime, a forerunner of wealth; a thimble, a hint to sew a wedding dress; and a pair of mittens.
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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