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Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: First Presbyterian Church

Studio Name: Tiffany Studios

City: Ypsilanti

Window Shape: 3 (arched)

Date of Window: 1899

Subject/Title of Window: Boyce Memorial

Brief Description of Subject: The middle section in this memorial window was designed to let light through. Doric columns are pictured as if holding up the canopy and divide this middle section into two lights. These columns are in harmony with the façade which is in the Grecian Doric style.

From the booklet, "Our Memorial Windows: A Brief Description of the Memorial Windows in the Sanctuary of The First Presbyterian Church, Ypsilanti, Michigan," by Doris Milliman, City Historian, page 6-7.

The Boyce Window
John Boyce, August 25, 1818 - February 28, 1911
Priscilla Ryder Vining Boyce
September 23, 1823 - December 15, 1875

The quotation, "Hitherto Hath The Lord Helped Us," comes from I Samuel 7:12, and reveals the importance of the Bible in the lives of the John Boyce Family.

John Boyce was born in Ireland, immigrated to this country as a young man, and married Priscilla Ryder Vining in Belleville, Febuary 6, 1845. To them were born 10 children: Martha, Anna, Benjamin, Mary Jane, Sarah, Fannie, James, Priscilla, John and Rachel. While living in Belleville, Van Buren Township, John was a farmer and served as postmaster for six years. He then moved to Ypsilanti, to 424 North Washington Street, and entered the flour and milling business with D. L. Quirk until 1866 when he owned and operated a shoe store in town.

John and Priscilla's youngest son, Benjamin (1866-1956) served as superintendent of the Sunday School in Presbyterian Church and his wife was the organist for many years.

Priscilla Ryder Vining Boyce was born in Sand Lake, New York, on September 23, 1823 and died December 15 1875 in Ypsilanti. She has a beautiful contralto voice. Five years before her marriage, she appeared before the Session of the First Presbyterian Church in Ypsilanti, and was "examined as to her experience and doctrinal belief and was propounded for admission." On the following Sunday, October 4, 1840, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered and she was received in full communion with the Church.

Priscilla Vining Boyce was a descendant of John Alden who came to this country on the Mayflower, and of Josiah Burton who served in the Revolutionary War.

Inscriptions: Hitherto Hath The Lord Helped Us
John Boyce
Priscilla R. Vining Boyce


Condition of Window: Very good

Height: 15'8"

Width: 4'2"

Type of Glass and Technique: Opalescent Glass, Lead Came

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