History of Calvary
Stained Glass and Other Fine Arts
Throughout the ages faithful people have sought to glorify God by creating edifices and works of lasting beauty. Calvary has been blessed with craftsmen, artists, and architects who, along with the generosity and commitment of parishioners, have contributed to enhancing the beauty and peace of the little brick church dedicated to the Glory of God.
The Stained Glass Window
In the early 20th century, Calvary's founding generation was passing away. Their children sought to memorialize them, particularly with generous donations of stained-glass windows that have become some of the best-loved features of Calvary Church. Four of these early windows were made in the Tiffany Studio in New York. Subsequent generations have continued the tradition of donating beautiful stained glass to Calvary.
Above the altar
- Christ Blessing Little Children, Tiffany Studio, New York, 1904.
Choir, west wall
- Saint Cecilia, 1905
Nave
West wall, north to south
- Cross and Crown, 1905
- Resurrection, 1905
- Palm Sunday, 1905
- Chalice with Grapes and Ivy, Tiffany Studio, New York, 1905
- Lilies of the Field, Tiffany Studio, New York, 1907
East wall, north to south
- Lamp of Knowledge, 1905
- The Greek Cross, 1905
- Cross and Crown in a Landscape, 1907
- Small Cross, Tiffany Studio, New York, 1907
South wall
- Rose Window, placed above original entrance, 1868
- Sermon on the Mount, 1968
Ambulatory, north to south
- A Gothic window, originally installed in the opening of the south wall of the nave, the original entrance to the church, 1894
- The Blessed Virgin Mary, 1982
- Head of Christ, 1905
- Ecce Homo, 1905
- Husband Family Window, depicting the Mayflower, Bishop Whipple, Bishop Samuel Seabury, Seabury Divinity School in Faribault, Minnesota, Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and various symbols relating to the Husband family, 1982
Vestibule, south wall
- Native Americans Receiving the Gospel, 1950
Educational Building
East entrance: Four lancet windows, designed by Harold Crawford in 1969.
North entrance: Completed in 2007, the window develops a healing theme from the Gospels, interweaving the heavenly and earthly dimensions to Jesus' ministry. In the six healing panels are
on the west side, top to bottom:
- Healing Jairus' Daughter
- Restoring Sight to the Blind Man
- Healing the Centurion's Servant
On the east side, top to bottom:
- The Paralytic Man
- Healing the Hemorrhaging Woman
- Woman Loosed from Infirmity
Above the healing panels is a circular window depicting an angel. Framing the healing panels are three Gothic panels above and two below.
The Baptismal Font
One of the oldest items in the church, the stone baptismal font was a gift from the Sunday School in 1871.
The Needlepoint
Calvary's beautiful kneelers are covered in needlepoint made by parishioners working with the National Cathedral's Ecclesiastical Needlepoint guidelines. Designed with the theme of the church seasons, the kneelers have appropriate symbols and the initials of the person who did the work, all in a red background. A more recent needlepoint work is the cushion covering a bench in the north entrance. It includes ecumenical symbols and the commission to go forth into the world to help the afflicted and to honor all people. The doorway, which lies adjacent to Mayo Clinic, articulates the inclusive and healing mission of Calvary Church.
The Crawford Watercolors
In 1975, Harold Crawford gave to the parish a collection of watercolors he had painted of historic Rochester buildings, floral arrangements, and American church buildings of historic and architectural significance. Many of the Rochester buildings depicted are now lost to development. Most of the Crawford watercolors hang in Crawford Hall; others may be found in the Fireside Room and the library.
Woodwork
- Walnut reredos, originally hung above the altar, now hanging nearing the northwest entrance, 1880
- Base of the altar, walnut, 1880
- Reredos above the altar, designed by Harold Crawford, 1967
- Carved panels on the chancel columns, designed by Harold Crawford, 1967