The Transfiguration (Left Panel Detail)
Charles J. Connick Associates - 1962
Jennie Lucille Seymour
DESCRIPTION: In the left panel of The Transfiguration, Moses appears as the topmost figure and is easily recognizable holding the Ten Commandments. Below him is one of the three disciples present at the Transfiguration. It is not possible to discern whether he is Peter, James or John. The other two are featured in the right panel, along with the Prophet Elijah. The placement of Moses and one of the disciples in one side panel and Elijah and the other two disciples in the other establishes a link between the Laws and the Prophecy of Old Testament and the teachings of the New Testament.
MEMORIAL: Whereas the entire window devoted to the Transfiguration remembers both Seymour sisters, the donor, Jennie Lucille, is separately noted in the inscription at the base of the left panel. A delightful person with a ready wit and humor, she had a varied number of interests in life. Jennie was born in Key West, was a Yoemanette during World War I, a time when Key West was home to a Navy base of substantial size, and for many years was teacher in the Monroe County school system.
In later years she lived with her widowed sister-in-law, Emma, on Elizabeth Street. As one entered the house, there was a Victorian coat rack in the hallway. On more than one occasion, Jennie would point to this piece of furniture and draw attention to brother Charlie's summer straw hat and cane hanging there. She would then proceed to tell the visitor that if perchance an intruder would enter the home, they would have a measure of protection because Charlie's hat and cane would indicate that a man lived there. Charlie was long dead and it would be a rare person on the small island who did not know this, but she enjoyed pointing out advantages.
Jennie was a contributor to the leprosy fund for a colony in Louisiana, saving coins in a bank in the shape of a small pig, which, at intervals were sent to the colony. One evening as Jennie and Emma were counting the coins, Amy Shine came to call. Amy contributed the loose change from her purse and was directed by the hostess to go into another room to get the pocketbooks on the bed to fatten the pig. Upon entering the room, Amy encountered a robber who grabbed the pocketbooks and exited through the window.
Although Charlie's hat and cane failed to do the job, Jennie knew what to do. She found her police whistle, kept just in the event of such an occasion, rushed out of the house and blew its shrill tones, but to no avail. The night visitor had fled, leaving behind his shoes, neatly placed under the window!
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.
Please consider making a donation to St. Paul's so that we may continue our work, including the stewardship of our beautiful grounds, buildings, and windows.
Login To Leave Comment