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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: 2 (rectangle)

Date of Window: 1899

Subject/Title of Window: Stewart-Pardee Memorial

Brief Description of Subject: Doric columns are pictured on the sides as if holding up the top part of the window. These columns are in harmony with the façade which is in the Grecian Doric style. The center contains a roundel depicting a reddish sky. This reminds one of a well known adage repeated by Christ in Matthew 16: 1 - 3 (KJV):
"The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?"

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 12-13.

The Stewart ~ Pardee Window
Allen Stewart
1789- January 1852
Juliet Pardee Stewart
November 8, 1807 - February 9, 1875
Sara Maria Pardee
November 11, 1810 - December 21, 1896

Allen Stewart was born in Pennsylvania, became a medical doctor and moved to Ypsilanti, sometime before 1837. On January 18, when he was 48 years old, he married Juliet Pardee, the daughter of Ario and Eliza Pardee, who are honored on the window to the left. The Wedding Service was conducted by our Church's first pastor, the Reverand Ira Mason Wead. Juliet had joined our Church on January 2, 1834.

Allen and Juliet Stewart had six children, but only three survived to adulthood. The three who died were Mary P. (1838), Arthur (1839-1844), and Milford (1844-1845). This must have been a heavy burden of sorrow for the Stewarts. The three who survived to adulthood were Frances L. (1841-1908), Eliza P. (1846-1917), and Sara (1850-1915). None of these women were married.

When the youngest daughter, Sara was only two years old, Dr. Stewart died, and was buried in Highland Cemetery (Block 31). Mrs. Stewart, and her three daughters Frances, Eliza and Sara continued to live at 52 East Cross Street for several years.

Frances, was graduated from Michigan State Normal College in 1861, and was registrar there for many years. She served as postmistress of Ypsilanti from July 9, 1883 to January 23, 1888. In 1890 she became a secretary at the Normal College. By this time she and her two sisters, Eliza and Sara resided at 314 West Cross Street. Frances' picture is on file in the Archives at the Ypsilanti Historical Museum.

In the Ypsilantie Presbyterian Church file at the Bentley Historical Library/Michigan Historical Collectiolns, University if Michigan, in Ann Arbor, there is a letter from Eliza Pardee, dated June 17, 1917. The letter thanks the Missionary Society for giving money to a fund which she had started in memory of her family to the San Juan Hospital in Puerto Rico.

Also, in the Church file at the Bentley Historical Library, ther is an undated clipping which listss the following donors to a Stewart Memorial Fund: Mrs. Juliet Stewart, Sara M. Pardee, Frances L. Stewart and Sara Pardee Stewart.

The Stewarts and their three daughtes lived in Ypsilanti and served in our Church for almost a century.

Sara Maria Pardee, the third name on the window, was also a daughter of Ario and Eliza Pardee, who are honored in the window to the left. She was the younger sister of Julia Pardee Stewart who is also honored in this window.

She was born when her family lived in Stevenson, New York, and came with them to Ypsilanti in 1833. She joined our
Church in April of 1842, and was an active member of the first Ypsilanti Library Association, which was incorporated in 1869. During her later years, she lived at 319 West Cross Street.

Inscriptions: In Loving Memory Of
Allen Stewart
Juliet Pardee Stewart
And Sarah Maria Pardee


Condition of Window: Very good

Height: 6'

Width: 3'10"

Type of Glass and Technique: Opalescent Glass, Lead Came

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