The History of the Stain Glass Windows written by Bobbie Page
April 15, 2008
Bobbie Page compiled the following information of Carteret Street’s stain glass windows for the Hope McLeod Foster Circle’s program.
The six side windows were installed in the late 1950s. The window above the choir loft, which also fronts a small Chapel, was installed around 1957.
The first window on the right side, as you come into the Sanctuary from the front door: “Jesus at the door knocking” was given in memory of Claude E. McLeod who was born in 1872 and died in 1931. Mr. McLeod married Evelyn Hope Chandler and they had three children: Claude, WM Hardee, and Marjorie Hope McLeod. Mr. McLeod’s father, W.H. McLeod, was one of the founding fathers of Carteret Street United Methodist Church. He is the grandfather of Marjorie Trask, Hope Cappelman and Claude. Claude and Brenda live in the home place in Seabrook SC and Marjorie Trask lives in the home on Bay Street. Later Mrs. McLeod married a Dr. Foster and one of our UMW circles is named Hope McLeod Foster. You will note that there is no doorknob in this picture. Please refer to Revelation 3:20: Behold, I stand at the door knocking. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with me. The door represents our hearts. Jesus is seeking us and knocking on our hearts.”
The second window on the right side is: “Jesus with little children.” It was given in memory of a former church member, Lucius Johnson, who was born 1873 and died in 1959. Mr. Johnson was a bachelor, living very modestly, who made a home by digging a cave under the ground, living there until he could build a modest home, located on Heyward Street in Beaufort. He loved the neighborhood children, and they loved him. He lived behind Jackie Black and her family; she befriended him. She stated that he was a very private person. He walked to church, Carteret Street UMC every Sunday. He left all of his money to the church when he died. The church purchased the window in his memory. The picture in the window is taken from Matthew 19:14: “Jesus said, let the little children come to me; and do not forbid them, for of such is the Kingdom of heaven.” And Matthew 18:4: “Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
The third window on the right is: “Jesus in The Garden of Gethsemane.” This is a popular picture and was given to the church in honor of Rev. and Mrs. George E. Kirby, Easter 1963. Rev. Kirby ministered Carteret Street UMC from 1940-1942. The picture of The Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olive, east of Jerusalem had a lot of olive trees. It was the place where Judas betrayed Jesus on the night before he was crucified. Peter, James and John were with Jesus where he sweated drops of blood. An important lesson can be learned from a study of Gethsemane, Jesus, no less than his disciples then and since, faced the temptation of Satan. He was in all points tested as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). No wonder he cried, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death (Matthew 26:38). But He won the victory over Satan as he declared to his Father, Your will be done.”
First window on the left as you come into the front of the church is: “Jesus with sheep.” It was given to the church in memory of Horace C. Hill who was born in 1904 and died in 1968. His wife was Virginia Limehouse of Charleston. They moved here from Summerville where he was a policeman. He also worked at the Navy Yard. He is the adopted father of Floyd Hill. They adopted Floyd when he was about 10 or 11 years old. The picture in this window depicted Jesus with sheep, expressing what a Shepherd is. A shepherd is on duty always. They protect and lead (John 10-11). I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives his life for his sheep (23rd Psalm). The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness. For His namesake, Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, my cup run over, surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.
Second window on the left is: “Mary holding baby Jesus.” It was donated to the church in memory of Tennessee Calhoun Thomas, born in 1879 and died in 1960. Tennessee was married in 1902 to an attorney and had five children, the youngest of her children dying in 1992. They lived in a house on Bay Street which burned in 1907, then was rebuilt with concrete and stucco at 607 Bay Street, so it would never burn down again. Her grandson, Ed Nelson, currently owns the house. She was active in church and garden clubs. She is buried in the Thomas burial plot in the Baptist Churchyard. One of our UMW circles is named for Mrs. Thomas. The picture depicts: “God selected Mary to be the Mother of Jesus.”
The third window on the left is: “Mary, Martha and Jesus.” The window was donated to the church in memory of Brady Elmo Shearouse who was born in 1895 and died in 1963. He had no children. Mrs. Shearouse was a Sunday school teacher, was described as “very proper.” They lived on Craven Street. Mr. Shearouse worked at the Chevrolet place. One of our UMW circles is named for Mrs. Shearouse. The picture shows Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet listening intently to His teaching; hearing His word (Luke 10:39). Martha was disturbed with Mary not helping her with all the household chores; she was attempting to feed the body. Jesus reminded Martha that she was permitting her outward activities to hinder her spiritually. Because of the emphasis on work in her daily chores, her inner communion with her Lord was being hindered.
There are three windows in our balcony. These were not donated in memory or in honor of anyone. There are no names, pictures or dates on them.
The window in front of the church (behind the choir loft) is: “Jesus standing, holding out his arms.” It was a gift from Dr. Wescot and Mrs. Mildred Black and their son Mills. It was given “for the spiritual Uplift of the Congregation of the Carteret Street Methodist Church in 1969.” Dr. and Mrs. Black were very active in our church. From Matthew 11:28: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
