Entry Into Jerusalem (Right Panel Detail)
Studio Unknown - After 1927 Before 1950
To the Glory of God and Loving Memory Thomas Alva Lumley 1861 - 1927
DESCRIPTION: In the right panel of the narrative window depicting Jesus' entry into Jerusalem there is a group of four adults and three children. One woman carrying a water jug has paused for a moment to watch. Two bearded men stare in disbelief, as does a third. Three children lead the procession and are engaged in strewing flowers and palms before His path. In addition to using the palm as a sign of victory, the artist has used open faced flowers to symbolize the innocence of children and the sunflower to represent adoration. The entire window has a distinct green cast, creating the impression of an abundance of foliage.
MEMORIAL: Life in Key West at the end of the 19th century is well depicted through the stories surrounding Thomas Alva Lumley who is remembered in this magnificent window. His daughter, Ruth, visited Punta Rassa, the point of departure from the mainland of the Gulf coast of Florida near Fort Myers, many times as a young girl and later in life recalled those days of her youth. She watched the cowboys round up the cattle and put them in a pen near the landing. When they were ready to load the 200 or 300 head, the men got on the fences, shouting and shaking large lard cans filled with rocks. The frightened animals charged up the railed gangplank of the ship and into the vessel.
On one trip the weather was so severe that Rose was tied to a chair in the mess hall so that she would not be washed overboard. It could have been a frightening experience on the tossing boat with men manning the pumps for dear life and cows bumping their heads together making mournful sounds. But Rose said she was young and knew little fear. However, her anxious father, waiting for the boat to arrive in Key West, was concerned and stationed men in the cupolas to look for the vessel and report to him once it was sighted.
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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