The Annunciation of Our Lady
Phipps, Ball & Burnham 1920
68" × 23 1/2"
Memorial Daughters of the King
DESCRIPTION: Located by the Lady Chapel in the south transept, this window is a small but beautiful one, in keeping with the rule of life of prayer and service of the donors, the Daughters of the King. The archangel Gabriel, dressed in a loose, flowing robe, appears as a handsome youth. His head is encircled with a radiant light and above this nimbus a sweep of glorious red wings is seen. Holding a golden scepter in his right hand and with the left hand outstretched, he is telling Mary that she has been chosen to give birth to the Messiah.
SYMBOLISM: The golden scepter is a symbol of authority. The dove and the rays of light shining on Mary represent the Holy Spirit and the words spoken by the angel: "The Holy Spirit will come on you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35) The lilies represent Mary's purity.
MEMORIAL: The Daughters of the King was founded in 1885 as a lay order for women in the Episcopal Church. Similar to monastic orders, the Daughters of the King have a rule of life of prayer and service.
Information about the early order was provided by Mrs. Emma Watson Fraga prior to 1958, or was found in Browne's Key West, The Old and the New. The Daughters of the King chapter of St. Paul's, No. 427, received its charter on May 21, 1895. It is believed that Mary Nieves Brown or Josephine Rawson was the first president. There were at least 12 charter members and it is thought they included the following: Josephine Ximenez Rawson (Mrs. Edward B.), Clara Hertell Higgs (Mrs. Gilbert Higgs) , Mary A. Johnson, Roagie Allen, Emeline Susan "Emma" Watson, Melvena (Mellie) Bethel and Elizabeth (Lillie) Watlington,
A number of these charter members were active in procuring funds to have the window installed in the present church. The documentary information on the window was found quite by accident on yellowed pages of records being placed in a safe, solving the mystery of one of the several unsigned windows. Entries on the fragmented pages state that as early as 1917 the Elks donated $10 to the Daughters for their memorial window to be placed in the new building. From September 1919 to March 10, 1920, there was a detailed list of members and the amount of money they donated to each window: Mrs. Harriet Babcock gave asocial at which punch was served; Mary Nieves Bethel gave a supper at her home and served ice cream for dessert. No mention of the window was found after June 1920.
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.
To continue the tour, approach the high altar and take in the stunning centerpiece of St. Paul's, Window #117: The Crucifixion.
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.
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