Ascension, Pentecost, Resurrection (Left Panel - Resurrection - Detail)
Phipps, Ball & Burnham Circa - 1920
William Curry, Father Euphemia Curry, Mother
Charles, George H., Henry F., Robert O. Curry, Brothers
DESCRIPTION: The large clerestory window in the north transept is made up of three themed panels each featuring a defining moment following the crucifixion of Christ: the Resurrection (left panel), the Pentecost (central panel) and the Ascension (right panel).
In the left panel, Resurrection, Christ appears to be barely hovering over a thin cloud. This detail shows three Roman soldiers whose sole duty was to guard the tomb. Dressed in full uniform, these men appear to have fallen asleep while on duty.
MEMORIAL: William Curry was born on September 11, 1821 on Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas, and came to Key West at an early age. On his birthday in 1844, he married Euphemia Lowe. His rise to riches in the maritime industry in Key West was phenomenal, and by the time he died in 1896, he was the richest man in Florida. While much has been written about this self-educated and self-made man, little has been written about an important gift he gave St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
After the great fire of 1886 destroyed much of Key West, including St. Paul's second church, a new wooden structure arose and a chime of 10 bells, the first in the state of Florida, was planned. William Curry gave the largest bronze bell, fondly called, "Big Bill," weighing nearly a ton and costing $725.00. It is marked: "Presented by William Curry Key West, Fla. 1890." The chime joyously rang out for the first time on Palm Sunday 1891. Although not recorded, "Big Bill" possibly tolled the passing of William in 1896.
During the 1909 hurricane, the voices of the chimes protested loudly as the church came tumbling down. By 1919 they were installed in the present church. Before their centennial, there was a period of silence because the structure of the Bell Tower was weak and "Big Bill" had a cracked yoke. On Palm Sunday 1991, the 100th birthday of the bells, chime master Joe Lowe briefly rang them in celebration. That same year they were repaired by McShane &Co., the same company that cast them.
The chime is still part of the life of the church and community. It sings out boldly above the noise of the city. If one listens, the lowest tone is the voice of "Big Bill."
[N.B. The bells are not currently ringing, as the structural integrity of the bell tower is currently compromised. It is one of the top restoration priorities of St. Paul's Capital Campaign. To donate to the Capital Campaign, click the button below and select "Capital Campaign" from the drop-down menu.]
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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