St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Simcoe, Ontario,

Our colourful memorial windows are much admired and we are proud of them. Dr. Moir says our windows commemorate themes of Faith and Service. There is a great deal to be noted as we look at each of the windows. Even very small details have meaning. The oldest window?...the circular "rose"-type window at the back of the gallery. It was installed when the church was built. The building was finished and dedicated in 1886. A newspaper of the time reported on the dedication service of St. Paul's, and stated, "Over the main entrance is a magnificent front window of stained glass of most elegant design." This window has no dedication or plaque. All other 10 windows are memorials.

Window 3:

Bi Centennial window: THE SOWER
"Behold a sower went forth" Luke 8: 5-7

In 1993 we celebrated our Bicentennial Year. There was only one window remaining without a stained glass installation, so it became one of the special projects for our 200th Anniversary. We are particularly proud of this window because it was designed by our own people (not purchased design as are the others) and several local elements are included. The cost for this window was $16,000, and the dedication service was held in February, 1993.The three shields at the top of the window tell the origin of St. Paul's congregation. United Empire Loyalists desiring to live under the British flag (2 flags), brought their belief (Bible) to Canada (maple leaves).

The settlement was established along the river (Lynn), which wound its way through rich forests (trees and oak leaves). Grain so essential for their survival was the first crop planted in the new land.

Framing the lower section of the figure, are the flowers native to this area: the Landon ladyslipper and the trillium. The dogwood branch draws the eye back to the main figure of The Sower.

The seeds being cast by the Sower symbolize the seeds of our faith being sown "upon rock and among thorns"and " on good ground". This seed flourishing from the ground established our Presbyterian denomination in this area, later resulting in our present building (1886) and recently St. Paul's Court. These buildings are depicted in the window.

The lower panels include corn and apples to recognize the important food crops produced in our agriculturally rich county. The thistle in the third panel acknowledges our affiliation with the church in Scotland. Lighter spring colours were purposely selected to give the impression of rebirth and new growth.

To the Glory of God

and in faithful tribute

to those who worshipped

and served during these 200 years

of Presbyterian witness, 1793 - 1993

Erected by the congregation in 1993

	Window 5: CHRIST, THE GOOD SHEPHERD "THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD" To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of William P. Innes, Esq. Born September 6, 1832; Died March 18, 1918 For 42 years an active elder in this Church. Presented by his Fellow Directors (of Canadian Canners Ltd.) Christ is shown leading His sheep from the fold to pasture and holds a lamb in one arm and shepherd's crook in the right hand. At His side, a mother sheep walks, raising her head wistfully towards her little one nestling in the Shepherd's arm. Throughout the group reigns a sentiment of holy peace and tenderness. The figure of Christ has power as well as pathos, majesty as well as benevolence. The whole theme denotes protection, understanding and inspiration. Mr. Innes served 42 years as an Elder and 30 years as Clerk of Session. He was secretary-treasurer of the Building Committee of St. Paul's from 1884 to 1886. On January 15, 1918, the occasion of the Golden Wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Innes, the Session and congregation addressed hearty congratulations to them as the senior elder and his wife, "honoured by her family and beloved of our people". But St. Paul's in the spring suffered a double loss. Mr. and Mrs. Innes died, just 3 days apart. Their generosity did not end with earthly life, for W.P. Innes not only left a large bequest to St. Paul's, but also the Innes Trust that still today provides significant sums each year to Simcoe's churches for distribution to the needy of the town. Mr. Innes was an important executive of Canadian Canners, and the Shepherd Window was presented by the directors of that company. It is unusual to have a window donated by a manufacturing firm.
	Window 6: Fourth Window, West Side LIGHT OF THE WORLD "I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD" To the Glory of God and In Memory of Rev. W. J. Dey, M.A., D.D., Minister of this Church from January 9, 1890 to Sept. 30, 1916 (26 Yrs) Died Dec. 14, 1921; and his Wife, Margaret Imrie. Died Jan. 24, 1922 (one month apart). Erected by the Congregation 1923. The window is an adaptation of the well-known painting by Holman Hunt, of Jesus knocking at the door. The subject treats unmistakably with the eternal question, whether the summons made by the Spirit of Divine Truth shall be welcomed or rejected. It illustrates the verse from Revelations: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice, and opens the door, I will come unto him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (No door handle is shown outside - the door must be opened from within.) Dr. Dey wrote the first history record of our congregation. He was Convener of the committee that produced our "Book of Praise" hymn book in 1908. Dr. Dey resigned in September, 1916. As a Christmas gift in 1916 the congregation subscribed the sum of $1,150, nearly a year's salary, in recognition of his inspiration and comfort in the homes of families connected with the church.
	Window 7: Fifth Window, West Side RUTH "THE LORD RECOMPENSE THY WORK" To the Glory of God, and in Grateful memory of all Women who have Served this Church throughout the years. The design of the window portraying "Ruth" was so attractive to members of the Ladies' Aid that in 1966 they undertook the purchase to complete the west wall windows. A committee composed of Mrs. H. M. Jackson, Mrs. H. A. Stringer and Miss Elsie Little, compiled a list of present and former members of the congregation and solicited contributions from them in memory of women who had been members of St. Paul's Church. The response was most generous, and the window was installed, and unveiled on May 28, 1967 by Miss Elsie Little, President of the Ladies' Aid. A generous donation from the relatives of the late Miss Effie Hillis enabled the Ladies' Aid to purchase a hand-crafted and illuminated Book Of Remembrance, listing names of women who are remembered and of persons who made contributions to the window fund. The names were inscribed in the book by Mr. J. H. Forsyth, and a case contains the book below the window. A quotation from the book of Ruth "The Lord Recompense Thy Work" is below the gleaning figure.
	Window 8: . Fourth window, east side ASCENSION "LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS" To the Glory of God, and In Memory of the Reverend Jabez Collver, who came to Norfolk County in 1793, and of those lay people who with him established the first Presbyterian Church in this area. The window represents "The Ascension" of our Lord". (In 1964 a Capital Fund was established to hold bequests and capital gifts not specially designated, with the intention that expenditure be for projects of lasting nature. In 1966 a decision was made by the committee appointed to administer the fund, to install a memorial window in recognition of Rev. Jabez Collever, who from 1793 to 1818, conducted Presbyterian services in the Simcoe area. It was unveiled by Mr. Lloyd S. Culver in October, 1966.)
	Window 9:. First Window east side at the front of the sanctuary THE BAPTISM OF JESUS "THIS IS MY BELOVED SON" To the Glory of God in Memory of Harold M. Jackson 1897 - 1974 A life-long member of this church, and an elder for forty-eight years. Placed by his wife and family. This window depicts the event after the baptism of Jesus as told in the Gospels. Jesus came and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Lo, the heavens were opened and the Spirit like a dove descended upon him, and there came a voice from Heaven saying, "Thou are my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." H. M. Jackson was appointed to the Session in 1926. He was a successful organizer of various campaigns for funds, and was very interested in our church’s mission work. He chaired several committees of the General Assembly, particularly those on world missions. (Two paintings in our church parlour and one needlework picture of the Last Supper- worked by Mr. and Mrs. Jackson- were their gifts to St. Paul’s.)
	Window 10: Fifth window, east side ST. PAUL "I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH" To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of John Coulson and his wife, Florence Edna. Erected 1950. St. Paul holds the Book and the Sword - the Book representing his Epistles; the Sword first signifying the manner of his martyrdom, and second, typifying a good fight fought by the faithful Christian. (To Mr. and Mrs. Coulson who are kept in remembrance by their bequest. Mrs. Coulson was a member of the Choir)