Saint Luke Roundel
Phipps, Ball & Burnham 1920
7'2" x 29 1/2"
Ellen E. Filer
DESCRIPTION: The ruby roundel encircled with shades of blue contains a gentle-looking, smiling ox with golden wings. Over the head is a nimbus or circle of radiant light. The tail curves upward and one foreleg is elevated. Beneath the body is a banderole identifying the winged creature as Saint Luke.
SYMBOLISM: The winged ox is the symbolic representation of Luke. The ox, or animal of sacrifice, is a fitting representation since Luke's gospel stresses the sacrifice, priesthood, and atonement of Jesus.
MEMORIAL: Ellen E. Bartlum, daughter of Joseph and Mary Ellen Lowe Bartlum, was born in Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas in 1842. Her uncle, John Bartlum, built a large schooner, Euphemia, named for Euphemia Curry, remembered in the Ascension, Pentecost, Resurrection (Window #122). Uncle John also built a clipper ship, the Stephen B. Mallory, 1000 tons burden, a venture never before attempted in a southern shipyard. When the Stephen R. Mallory, carrying a life-sized figurehead of her well- known namesake on her bow, was launched in Key West in 1856, Ellen was 14, and probably was aware of the pride and the excitement felt in the city.
Ellen was married on May 9, 1859 in Key West to Samuel Filer, a well-to-do lumber merchant. They were the parents of Ellen Elizabeth, born in Key West on June 7, 1868.
Ellen E. Filer died at the age of 68, in 1910, and was buried in the Filer plot in the Key West cemetery. Samuel died on October 15, 1922.
This window is a companion to the next window, Font Roundel (Window #27), also given in memory of Ellen E. Filer.
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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