The 'United' in Covenant United comes from the union of three prior congregations. This building was constructed under the name of Spencer-Ripley Methodist Church, a mostly German congregation. It merged with Monroe Ave Methodist church after their building on Monroe and Averill Ave (where a McDonalds now stands) burned down in 1973.
The church has several lovely stained glass windows, a fine Austin organ (Opus 1344, installed in 1925) with two octaves of chimes, and a mechanical carillon which plays on a preprogrammed schedule throughout the day (the speakers can be seen from at the roof from the picture captioned "Covenant from Parsells".
The church does not have many weddings, however, because it has no center aisle. The pews are arranged in three wedges of roughly equal size, separated by two aisles to the alter. There is an east and west balcony, with the Sunday School classrooms along the second floor hallway that connect the two.
The church serves a vibrant urban ministry, and has community groups meeting most days and evenings. Groups include contra-dancing one night a week, AA and NA, and to name a few.
Although the most spectacular Pike Stained Glass Studios windows were captured in their own waymark, many more stained glass panels remain to be described, and I choose to use the space remaining on this page to do so. All material below comes from "The Story of the Stained Glass Windows installed in Spencer-Ripley Methodist Church"
Windows placed in the screen separating the vestibule from the sactuary, installed December 16,1945
The Head of Christ In memory of Hannah Mary Jones (1862-1945)
Now and then in the experience of life, friends and loved ones pass across our paths we never forget. Their presence is like the sweet fragrance of a beautiful morning. Their memory lingers as a blessed influence. Such was the life of Hannah Mary Jones. She was born in Sydnim, Canada in 1862, the third in a family of ten children. When she was six years old her faher and mother, Steven Benjamin and Elizabeth Mary Sylver drove across the St. Lawrence River on the ice and settled near Carthage, NY. In 1893 she was married to Winfred E. Jones of Camden, NY and they came to Rochester soon thereafter. They became members of Cornhill Methodist Church. Later they established their home in the parish of Spencer-Ripley Church and became members of that church in 1910 under the pastorate of Rev. Herman H. Downey. Her husband and daughter remain active members of this church. During those years she gave of her strength, her time and her best talents to the needs of her church. In the last hours of her life she believed that she was working at the church. She was endowed with a happy and gay spirit and a sense of good sportsmanship which she retained to the last.
The memorial is to be set in the middle window of the screen between the vesibule and sanctuary. It is a reproduction of the painting of the Head of Christ by Warner Sallmann. The work was executed by the Pike Stained Glass Studios. It is given by her daughter Muriel Jones as an affectionate and loving tribute to the memory of her fine Christian mother. It will be ever a reminder that "Heer Works do live after her".
The Symbol of the Gospel of Mark In memory of Daniel W. and Sarah B. Davis.
Daniel W. Davis was born at Sugar Hill, NY May 11, 1966 and died at Elmira, NY on May 18, 1945. He was educated at the Avoca High School. He was merchant, mechanic and for many years stockkeeper at the National Casket Company of Rochester. In High School he met and later married Sarah B. Coates of Wheeler, NY. Prior to their marrieage she was a school teacher. They were married December 30, 1891 at Avoca, NY and lived at Townsend, Avoca, Perry, Webster and Rochester. They became members of Spencer-Ripley Church by transfer of letter on December 7, 1919 under the pastorate of Rev. J. H. Olmstead. They were dependable, quiet and stable Christian people. Mrs. Davis made an outstanding contribution to many lives and to the work of the Lord through her teaching in the Foote Class. The symbol of the Gospel of Mark is given by their son, Harold R. Davis, as an expression of his love and affection for his parents and also to be a perpetual memorial of their influence which abides with us in this Church.
Symbols of the Gospels of Luke and John In memory of George Henry and Annie Lowe Gibbs.
George Henry Gibbs was born on September 8, 1867 in Baynum, Herefordshire, Essex, England and died in Rochester, NY August 17, 1938. Annie Lowe Gibbs was born June 18, 1871 in Canton, Ontario, Canada and died in Rochester, NY August 11, 1931. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs were received into the fellowship of Spencer-Ripley Church on June 15, 1903 by Rev. J. W. Williams and continued this fellowship until death. Through their Christian influence and devotion their five children became members of this Church. The symbols of the Gospels of Luke and John are placed by their children, Harry, Leo, Ernest, Olive and Vern, to be continuing memorials of thier lives and Christian example. "Blessed are those who die in the Lord, for their works do live after them."
The Symbol of the Gospel of Matthew By the DeVoll Family.
The symbol of the Gospel of Metthew is placed by the DeVoll Family as a gift for the adornment and enrichment of the Sactuary of Spencer-Ripley Church. We appreciate this opportunity to express to Mr. and Mrs. F. A. DeVoll the appreciation this Church has for their loyalty, gifts and contributions of talents and substance to the work of the Lord through this Church during their more than forty years of membership.
The Choir Loft Windows
Symbol of the Lyre In memory of Myron J. Franks, installed January 26, 1947:
Myron J. Franks was born at Walworth, NY April 28, 1865. The family moved to Ontario, NY where he received his education. At the age of sixteen he took his first position with the Chemical Works in Fairport, NY where he remained for nearly four years. It was during his period he became interested in the Church and its activities, joining the Fairport Methodist Church where among other activities he taught a Sunday School class and sang in the Choir. From Fairport he went to Penfield and there became acquainted with Miss Catherine R. Stearns. They were married on May 11, 1892.
Mr. Franks became associated with Brown Brothers Company and he and his new bride made their home at Fonthill, Ontario, Canada where they transferred their church interest to the Methodist Church there. Both sang in the choir and taught Sunday School classes. Returning to Rochester in 1899 they located at 289 Winton Road North and in 1906 became active at Spencer-Ripley Church, then located at Goodman and Ripley Streets, where Mr. Franks was a charter member. Here Mr. Franks was a trustee for several years.
After the fire, which gutted the church he was on the building committee for the present structure and subsequently a member of the Board for a number of years.
After he retired from the Rochester Post Office, April 28, 1930 he continued his interest in Church work as well as oher activities including temperance work, a profound interest in the King's Daughters and Sons, of which he was a life member, the Bob Jones College of Cleveland, Tennessee, as well as many others. Throughout his life he loved all that was beautiful - he upheld all that was right and just - was ever ready with a helping hand for those in need.
His passing on April 26, 1946 was a great loss to his community his Church, to his family and his many friends.
This window is a fitting memorial to a good man and also will perpetuate the memory of his life and contribution to the Kingdom of God through Spencer-Ripley Church.
The Lyre was a stringed instrument used throughout the Middle Eastern countries. It was common among the Greeks. The Authorized Version renders the word "Cithern" and the Revised Version "Harp". However, the harp used in O.T. was different than the lyre. The lyre consisted of a sound box at the base, with wooden side-arms and a cross bar connected by strings with the box below. The earliest representation is pre-historic, in the form of a crude model found at Telich in southern Babylonia. Jewish coins of the Maccabean period hava a close resemblance to the lyre. The mention made in 1 Samuel 16:23 of David playing the harp probably referred to the instrument known as the lyre. It was used to accompany songs and especially those of a joyous nature. The lyre and the harp are recognized as the two musical instruments of the Biblical teaching.
Josephus states that a similar instrument called "kinnor" in Greek had ten strings and was played by striking the strings with another instrument. Most models as reproduced in art show the lyre to have six strings.
The lyre will symolize the place that music has in the Worship of God.
The Celtic Cross In memory of Waverley DeForest (1902-1918) installed December 26, 1946:
Waverley was a most promising youth of the finest quality of Christian character. He possessed an attractive personality and on several occasions received high commendations for his ability to speak in public and to present his thoughts with ease and clarity.Born on May 31, 1902. Baptized by Rev. John M. Walters, June 14, 1903. Promoted to Primary Department of Church School on November 29, 1908. Received into the membership of the Church on November 25, 1910 by Rev. H. H. Downey. Graduated from Public School No. 11. Entered East High School at the age of fourteen. Died January 24, 1918.
This fitting memorial of the Celtic Cross is placed in his memory by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alling S. DeForest.
The Celtic Cross is a very ancient form having been used by the early Celtic Christians. The Celts reached Britain fully a thousand years before the Christian Era. Many such crosses may be seen in Great Britain where they are used as wayside crosses or cemetary crosses. The vertical member tapers with slight eutasis or bulging effect. The circle represents eternity and the five small circles or spots on the arms of the cross represent the five wounds of Christ. It is sometimes known as the Ionian Cross after the Island of Iona, a sequestered isle in Western Scotland. Rev. George F. McLeod and a group of likeminded ministers have organized a religious brotherhood known as the Iona Community and by their own hands have restored a chapel on the island, historic in the Christion history of Scotland.
The reproduction of the Celtic Cross in stained glass in the form here shown is a difficult undertaking. The original was enlarged and the drawing made by Mr. DeForest. The glass work was executed by Pike Stained Glass Studios. The effect is unusual and gives the worshipper a sense of the majesty and eternal nature of the Cross.