The St. Augustine Window was located on the Gospel transcept at St. Mark’s and was relocated in 1996 to St. Mark’s Chapel.
The window was given in memory of John B. Kirk Jr. by his parents, John B. and Agnes Kirk
The St. Augustine window was designed by Cummings Glass Studio, San Francisco and cost $1,815.30. It is 27″ x 92″
The window was installed in 1968 and dedicated in 1969.
85 years ago this month, 9 year old John Balderstone Kirk, Jr. was killed in a tragic accident. 32 years after John’s death, his parents dedicated a stained glass window at St. Mark’s in memory of their lost son.
John was born in Medford, Oregon on February 21, 1928. His parents (John and Agnes Kirk) owned and operated an orchard and were ranchers. John Jr. grew up in Medford until sometime after 1935 when his parents moved to Ojai, California. John had one younger brother, Jimmie, born in 1933.
On September 24, 1937, John was riding his bike along a local road in Ojai when he was hit and killed by a truck driven by a 17 year old teenager. John Jr. is buried, along with his parents, in the Kirk family plot in San Gabriel Cemetery, San Gabriel, CA.
The funds for the St. Augustine window were part of a fundraising effort for the last group of five windows needed to complete the church. Notes indicate the window was constructed throughout 1968, and that at least one major section was redone midway. A letter from Cummings Studio to St. Mark’s indicates:
“The map of England on the Augustine window has been completely redone. Although beautiful in itself, it becames raucous when seen in context. We have therefore scaled it down to a more delicate size.” (St. Mark’s Archives)
The letter goes on to say that all five windows were planned for installation in September of 1968. In September, Wilbur Cummings wrote to Rev. Whittlinger of St. Mark’s to say that:
“It is a great accomplishment for you to complete the window program in your church. It was 21 years ago that my father first made windows for St. Mark’s. We are proud to have created this series and we want to thank you for the opportunity to complete it. We trust that you will always find meaning in this art form and that your congregation grows from this expression.” (St. Mark’s Archives)
Sometime after 1940, the Kirk family moved to Glen Ellen in Sonoma County, CA where they ran a ranch for many years. Around 1955, the Kirks retired, moved to Los Altos, and became members of St. Mark’s.
The last five windows, including the St. Augstine window, were dedicated on March 16th, 1969. John Kirk Sr. passed away in May of 1969, but lived long enough to see the window installed in the church. St. Augustine originally in the Gospel Chapel in the main church, was one of the windows moved during the 1994 remodel. It is currently located in St. Mark’s Chapel.
Thanks for the descriptive article.
I enjoy these history snips.
Sad the lower panel panel was removed. That did somewhat compromise the window, but thankfully we can continue to enjoy and contemplate the top part.