In the 1950s, a cartoon was drawn by the Connick Studio for the small window in the rear of the Langdon Chapel of All Saints Parish. This was the window which the priest faced when he celebrated the early Sunday morning service of Holy Communion. It was envisioned as a window which would be dedicated to all Rectors of the Parish and emphasized the sacraments in its design. Funds were not forthcoming, however, and the window was never made.

 

Rev. Louis Pitt's rough original sketch

 

The Connick Studio interpretation of the sketch

Henry Pepper, a faithful member of All Saints for many years, began to set aside some money for this window late in his life. When he died in 1985, he provided additional money in his will to fund the window. The original design emphasizing the sacraments was blended with Henry's great love for All Saints to create the final version, which was then approved by the Pepper family and the Vestry.         The medallions are described from left to right, in ascending order:

Beacon Street trolley from the 1920s Eagle representing both St. John's Gospel ("In the beginning was the Word") and the Bank of Boston (for which Mr. Pepper worked) -- making this a "donor" medallion Coolidge Corner (S.S. Pierce building) in Brookline   Church of Our Savior, Brookline (Founded 1868)-- helped establish All Saints All Saints Church -- originally made of wood and located approximately where the Rectory now stands -- built 1895 St. Paul's Church, Brookline (Founded 1849) -- also helped establish All Saints   Wheat and Grapes -- symbols of Holy Communion All Saints Parish, with tower and cloister, as originally envisioned by Cram and Goodhue. (Note: this medallion has no date -- reminding us that the building is "unfinished") Baptismal Font -- symbol of Holy Baptism   Dove of the Holy Spirit descending "IHS" -- the ancient symbol of Jesus, held by an angel Flame of the Holy Spirit

There are several motifs moving through this window from bottom to top: from the secular world of trolleys and stores through the churches and the sacraments, guided by the Holy Spirit and culminating in Christ; from the Word which was in the beginning through the sacraments to the spiritual -- word and sacrament bring one to Christ; from the material reality great church buildings point us to the spiritual realm; from the beginning of John's Gospel to the Book of Revelation.         The smaller symbols in the background and border represent the following: the rose is a symbol of devine love; the eight-pointed star is a symbol of love and calls to mind the eight Beatitudes; the white lily represents purity and the Virgin Mary; the grapes and vines remind one of Jesus' words, "I am the vine and ye are the branches"; the Alpha and Omega (also in the center medallion of the Rose Window) come from the Revelation of John: "I am the beginning and the end".         This is the only window at All Saints which does not portray one or more saints -- in that sense it is unique. Rebecca Breymann of Connick Associates was the principal designer; Charles Clutz, the Rev. John Wallace, and Nathaniel Pierce, eighth Rector of All Saints Parish.