THE ART & ARTIFACTS OF ST. PETER’S CHELSEA 346 W. 20th St., New York, NY 10011 stpeterschelsea.org 212-929-2390
SOUTH WALL MAIN ALTAR (19TH ST.)
Follow Me and I Will Make You Fishers of Men, Call of St. Peter Window (J&R Lamb Studios, 1900) This life size depiction (out for restoration) of Jesus raising his left arm at the Sea of Galilee, calling the fishermen, brothers Peter, in front, and Andrew wearing a cap, to follow him (Matthew 4:18-20.) They are dressed as workmen, just off the boats. On Jesus’ right side are his cousin John, and his brother James, in front. Both are richly dressed. Jesus, James, and John have halos. Peter and Andrew do not. The window is topped by the baldachin from the original pulpit.
Old Testament Life Size Biblical Figure Reredos Pre-Raphaelite Painting (J&R Lamb Studios, 1900) South East Procession, left to right: Abraham, father of Judaism, Christianity, Islam; Isaiah, the prophet, holding The Book of Isaiah known for vivid messages of social justice; Moses, holding the Ten Commandments tablets; David, the king, who struck down Goliath, with crown and lyre; Hannah, mother of Samuel, the prophet for Saul and first King of Israel
New Testament Life Size Biblical Figure Reredos Pre-Raphaelite Painting (J&R Lamb Studios, 1900) South West Procession, left to right: St. Mary, virgin mother of Jesus, leads, holding lilies; St. Matthew, the tax collector turned martyr, holding scroll; St. John, the youngest apostle, holding chalice; St. Stephen, the deacon and the Church’s first martyr, holding palms; St. Paul (Saul) the converted policeman, holding sword
High Victorian Hand Painted and Gilt Stenciled Vaulted Chancel Ceiling Featuring Six Apostle Shields (1884)
EAST CHANCEL
Matthew and Mark - Apostolic and Eucharistic Symbols Window (J&R Lamb Studios, 1900). Restored through the generosity of Antony L. Mahn, a longtime volunteer, in the name of his family and dedicated June 10, 2018
Olin Scott Roche Parish Recognition of Service by Parish Chapel (1922)
Jacob Sawyer Carter (1808-1890) Memorial Organ (Roosevelt Organ Company, 1892)
Alfred Corning Clark Memorial Chimes Plaque (1898)
Don Alonzo Cushman and Matilda C.S. Cushman Memorial Gospel Pulpit (1883)
WEST CHANCEL
Luke and John - Apostolic and Eucharistic Symbols Window (J&R Lamb Studios, 1900)
Margaret Mulford Sherrill Memorial Prayer Book Desk (1894)
Rector Emeritus Olin Scott Roche Memorial Jubilee Altar Restoration Plaque
Don Alonzo Cushman (d. 1875) and Matilda C.S. Cushman (d. 1881) Memorial Lectern Pulpit (1883)
EAST WALL GOSPEL SIDE (8TH AVE.)
Original Two-Paneled Colored Glass Window - Obstructed by the organ on the inside
Our Lord Blessing a Soldier and a Sailor Reredos Painting Over the Original Communion Table Side Altar (Col. Theodore J. Witonski, WWII vet, WPA artist, parishioner 1946) - A three-panel, 5’.5” x 7’.7,” mural painting depicting, left to right, St. George, Jesus, and Archangel St. Michael blessing praying WWII servicemen. In 1954, the theme was considered too militaristic by St. Peter’s congregation, and the painting was covered by a curtain for 59 years until its unveiling to commemorate Veterans Day 2013, attended by the artist’s son Peter Witonski
“Clement Clarke Moore Prayed Here” Rail and Table Marker Plate
Return of The Soul - Gustavus William Faber (1823-1895) and Angelica Barracough Cushman Faber (1826-1908) Memorial Window (Tiffany Makers Mark) - Represents the human soul, immediately after death, ascending, under the guidance of its guardian angel, to the Judgment Seat of God
Vestryman John Gregory (1812-1858) Memorial Plaque
Easter Morn - Levi Lewis Livingston (d. 1882) and Carolina Augusta Livingston (d. 1906) Memorial Window (Tiffany) - Depicts Mary Magdalene (red hair) with Joanna, Susanna, or Martha coming to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body and encountering an Angel
Mary Jones Miller (1873-1915) Memorial Plaque
The Resurrection- Sallie Alethia Roche (1854-1929) Memorial Window (J&R Lamb Studios) - Depicts Jesus bursting from the tomb, astonishing the Roman guards
“16 Years of Perfect Sunday School Attendance” Harriet Edith Winter (1896-1925) Memorial Plaque
Peace - Maxwell/Patterson Families Memorial Window (1977) (J&R Lamb Studios) - Depicts an Angel with dove. This is a restored window donated from an estate in Tuxedo Park.
WEST WALL EPISTLE SIDE (9TH AVE.)
Clement Clarke Moore (1779-1863) Memorial Plaque - Author of A Visit from St. Nicholas (‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, New York City’s most famous poem.) He donated the land for this church from the Moore family’s farm “Chelsea.” Moore led the vestry for many years and was a musician during service.
The Chelsea Stone from the fabric of Chelsea Old Church in London, presented to St. Peter’s in 1936
The Chelsea Stone Framed Story and Plaque
Virgin Mary Prayer Candles with Tapestry from Elizabeth II Coronation, Abbey Church of St. Peter, Westminster, London (1953)
Baptismal Font (1859) Framed by Remaining Section of The Original Altar Rood Screen
Christ Blessing Little Children - Emilie Arnoult Cushman Wilcoxson (1828-1897) Memorial Window (J&R Lamb Studios, 1903) -Depicts Matthew 19:14: Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Christ in the Home at Bethany - John Alexander Roche (1898) Memorial Window (J&R Lamb Studios, 1899) - Depicts Jesus, a good friend of this family, as a guest for dinner. Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to him as he speaks. Martha is in the background, working at the table. Based on a painting by Heinrich Hofmann
“Lucid Writer” Rev. Alfred Baury Beach (1821-1897) Memorial Altar, Reredos and Call of St. Peter Window Plaque
Valiant Woman - Francis Babcock and Alice Wyer Babcock Family Memorial Window (1900) (Tiffany) Depicts Proverbs 31:10-31: “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”
“Zealous, Efficient” Founding Sunday-School Teacher Agnes Ann Martin (1789-1856) Memorial Plaque
The Ascension - Douglas Taylor (1830-1912) Memorial Window (J&R Lamb Studios)
Founding Member of Chelsea Community Church Paul Gay (1938-1987) Memorial Plaque
Archangel St. Michael Blessing a Knight - Rev. Olin Scott Roche 40 Years of Service (1883-1923) Commemorative Window (J&R Lamb Studios)
NORTH WALL VESTIBULE (20TH ST.)
“His Is Known in Other Lands” Founding Rev. Samuel Hulbeart Turner (1790-1861) Memorial Plaque
World War I (1917-1919) Men of St. Peter’s Commemorative and Memorial Plaque
“Ceased to be Mortal” Rev. Hugh Smith (1795-1849) Memorial Plaque
Warden George Payn Quackenbos (1826-1891) Memorial Plaque
Allaire Iron Works Bell (1839) Signed J. P. Allaire. 2K lbs., 47” wide, rings in “E”
Four-Faced Clock (1838) Originally hand wound, now electronically mechanized
EXTERIOR
First U.S. English Parish Gothic Church Building with 100-ft. Tower, Hammered Blue Spuyten Dyvil Stone and on site Manhattah Schist, Trimmed with Granite, James W. Smith, Architect. (Built 1836 - 1838)
WWII 1st Diocesan Enlisted Man/1st Chelsea Casualty, Seaman John R. Ress Memorial Flag Pole (1942) with eagle finial designed by National Bald Eagle Day founder, WWII hero, and Chelsea Community Church member Rick Carrier.
Wrought Iron Gates (c. 1788-90) Gifted to St. Peter’s by Trinity (2nd) Church (1846)
Compiled by Mary Sheeran and Jennifer A. Maguire from: Old Chelsea and Saint Peter’s Church by Samuel Patterson (member, New York Historical Society); Forty Years of Parish Life and Work by Olin Scott Roche; Tiffany Windows by Alastair Duncan; St. Peters-Chelsea 150 Year Jubilee Celebration booklet; 1994 Welcome brochure; Examination by William Stivale, Building Conservator, and Marie Ennis, Structural Engineer, St. Peter’s restoration 2015; Stained glass research by Wayne Boucher and Donald Traser; Pipe organ evaluation in 2017 by Jeremy Cooper, Organ Builder; and master’s thesis by Christopher Jenks, son of former rector Robert Jenks. Chris is a Brother of Saint Gregory, the Executive Director of Fessenden House, and a former preservationist with the New York Landmarks Conservancy. His thesis is well documented with primary sources, including many issues of the parish’s newsletter from the early twentieth century, St. Peter’s Vestry Minutes, parish records, St. Peter’s Association Journal (1880s), fundraising pamphlets and the oral tradition of St. Peter’s. This history is updated or revised as new information is discovered. (05/2019)
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