METROPOLITAN AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

METROPOLITAN AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The National Cathedral of African Methodism”
“EPISCOPACY WINDOW” RESTORATION JOURNEY
Published by
The Commission on Public Relations
Metropolitan A.M.E. Church
1518 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
This brochure was written and produced by Metropolitan A.M.E. Public Relations Commission member Delores Zimmerman‐Jeter with assistance from PRC members Nancy Harvin and Ruby Gourdine. Photographs were provided by Higgins & Associates, Stained Glass Restoration Studio. Contents
The Episcopacy Window - Preparation for Removal, Page 1
Interview with Trustee Terry Johnson, Page 3
Interview with Gene Higgins of Higgins & Associates, Page 7
Interview with Reverend Dr. Louis-Charles Harvey, Page 14
Interview with Deaconess Nellie Abner, Page 14
Interview with Reverend Johanna Green, Page 17
Episcopacy Window Angular Pane, Page 21
Episcopacy Window Installed - After Restoration, Page 25
Notes, Page 26
The “Episcopacy Window” – one of twenty-nine (29) windows in The Metropolitan African
Methodist Episcopal Church (MAMEC) of Washington, DC – was recently restored, as part of
the restoration project. Although the church is still undergoing restoration, the 123-year old
“Episcopacy Window” – having completed a “journey” from the church to the restoration studio
of Higgins & Associates in Front Royal, Virginia – is now back in all of its splendor and beauty,
and resting majestically in its original location on the balcony level of the sanctuary. To protect
the window during removal for restoration and re-installation, scaffolding was built around the
window – both inside and outside.
METROPOLITAN PREPARED FOR REMOVAL OF “THE EPISCOPACY WINDOW”
[Note scaffolding around the section of the Episcopacy Window]
One the day of removal, congregants – led by Senior Pastor, Reverend Ronald E. Braxton – held
a “window removal ceremony” in front of the church. Congregants gathered and Pastor Ronald
Braxton led them in prayer, scripture and an original litany. Parishioners worshipped as they
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watched the “Episcopacy Window” and three other stained-glass windows being removed and
then carefully carried down the church steps by Higgins & Associates’ stained-glass experts.
There also was rejoicing (below) when congregants met artisan Dawn Foley (pictured center
with pastor), one of Higgins & Associates gifted artisans, assigned to major restoration tasks of
the “Episcopacy Window.”
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The “Episcopacy Window” differs from most stained glass windows of the era because it lacks
the more common Biblical themes. The window bears the name of Richard Allen, the first
ordained bishop of the A.M. E. church and – on individual angular panes - the names of fourteen
(14) other A.M.E.Bishops. All of the window angular panes were removed and restored during
the window restoration.
Bishops Names Inscribed on Episcopacy Window Angular Panes
(See pages 21 - 24)
Bishop
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Ordained/Died
Morris Brown
Wm. Paul Quinn
Willis Nazery
Jabez P. Campbell
Thos MD Ward
Henry M. Turner
Richard H. Cain
Richard R. Disney
Wm. F. Dickerson
John M. Brown
Jas A. Shorter
Alex W. Wayman
Daniel A. Payne
Edward Waters
1828/1849
1844/1873
1852/1876
1864
1868
1880
1880
1876
1880/1884
1868
1868
1864
1852
1836/1847
Comments
*Israel Bethel 1843-45
**
*Israel Bethel 1861-63
***
*Union Bethel 1848-49
*Union Bethel 1842-44
*Pastors associated with Israel Bethel or Union Bethel A.M.E. Churches
**Grandfather of the Rev. J. Campbell Beckett, pastor of Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, 1936-49.
***First Washington, DC native elected an A.M.E. bishop
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PR COMMISSION INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED REGARDING
“THE EPISCOPACY WINDOW” RESTORATION
As follow-up to the “Episcopacy Window “ restoration project, the Commission on Public
Relations conducted interviews with MAMEC Trustee Terry Johnson, Gene Higgins of Higgins
& Associates, The Reverend Dr. Louis-Charles Harvey – Presiding Elder of the Potomac District
of the A.M.E. Church, and two (2) MAMEC Senior Members: Deaconess Nellie Abner and
Reverend Johanna Green.
INTERVIEW WITH MAMEC TRUSTEE TERRY JOHNSON
Interviewer: The PR Commission of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal is preparing a
publication specifically about the Restoration of the “Episcopacy Window” and would like your
response to several interview questions that focus more on you as a trustee member of the church
than as a regular member of the congregation.
Interviewer: As a trustee of the church, how were you involved in overseeing restoration of the
“Episcopacy Window?”
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Terry: “The Trustees are the elected congregational representatives that, per the A.M.E. Discipline, are
responsible for the church infrastructure (The church building and other tangible property).”The trustees
are organized into subcommittees that deal with specific work. Subcommittees are responsible for legal
issues, insurance & investments, security, other properties and the church building. There is a special
committee responsible for the church restoration, chaired by Trustee, Gwen Kimbrough. I am a member
of the Restoration subcommittee. I was at the church when the window was removed to make sure that the
window was taken out with care and reverence. The window is very fragile and one of our valued
properties of the church. I am not the only person that was there...there were other committee members,
trustees and members of the general congregation. Several of us went out to Higgins & Associate located
in Front Royal, VA...on several occasions to look at the restoration process. As a church, we are bless to
have members with expertise in many areas. One of our members, Alton Greene is an architect. His
company (Bryant Mitchell, PLLC) serves as the construction manager for the overall restoration
effort...including the window. Brother Greene attends all of the construction meetings and made several
visits to the site of the window restoration.
Interviewer: Prior to having the window assessed for damage, were you aware that the window
was indeed damaged? Was it deteriorating badly? Was it in danger of collapsing? Had you ever
really looked at the window? Had anyone ever assessed that the window, indeed, was damaged?
Or did you all discover...?
Terry: No, we were not aware that the window was in that bad of a shape. As a part of the overall
restoration effort, evaluations were done on several aspects of the church. If you recall, there was a
large piece of ceiling tile that fell last year. The ceiling had to be evaluated and we had to determine
whether or not it was safe to repair it or it had to be torn out and a new ceiling put in. As a part of the
restoration effort, evaluations were done on several aspects of the church... the exterior walls, the heating
and air conditioning systems, etc. During the evaluation phase, people came in to look at the windows
and issued a report on their condition.
Interviewer: So what you are saying is that the window... you all noticed the window after the
church was assessed for damage.
Terry: There was an overall assessment that was done on the church ...and the window’s condition was
determined at that time.
Interviewer: Was it in danger of collapsing...if you all had not gotten to it?
Terry: Yes, it was.
Interviewer: The deterioration was considered bad?
Terry: Very bad...and that’s why the Restoration Committee, with support of the rest of the Trustee
Board, recommended a complete removal and restoration of the window.
Interviewer: Do you feel that the congregation was united to take on the undertaking of restoration
of the window, itself? Was the congregation aware of the window? Were they excited about having
something done about the window?
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Terry: What I can tell you is that there were several meetings with the congregation, to inform them of
the status of the window and the condition of the window. Of course, you know, that was bad news, on
top of the fact that we were getting ready to start work on the overall restoration objectives and this was
coming in on top of everything else that we were being obligated to address. So, this was not good news!
It was more money that had to be raised...and raised quickly. In order to get Higgins & Associates
started, there was a significant down payment deposit that had to be made. In addition, we needed to
make sure that once that window was taken out, that it was going to be enough money to continue to pay
Higgins & Associates. Remember that this window required fund raising at the same time we were fund
raising for the overall restoration. So, the congregation was not pleased to hear it, but they took it in
stride. And, the money was raised to restore the window.
Interviewer: Can you describe the congregation’s participation during restoration of the window?
For example, did anyone do anything in particular to work along with having the window restored?
Was there anything special about what someone did?
Terry: I am not aware of any specific things that were done in the context of your question. I can tell you
that there were lots of meetings with the Stewards and the Trustees to get a handle on what was needed
and how it was going to get done. Restoration construction is a complex issue to deal with and officers
made every effort to understand the issues so that they could articulate them to the congregation.
Interviewer: So I guess this is where the congregation would come in?
Terry: The congregation’s piece of it was to attend the church meetings that specifically dealt with the
window so that they could make a decision about how we were going to move forward.
Interviewer: Now my last question...now that the window has been restored and reinstalled, how
do you feel the congregation feels about the window?
Terry: I believe that they can see the difference. The first Sunday that the interior scaffolding was
removed, the people turned around and looked at the window. They could tell that sun shone much
brighter through the windows, on the left and the right. The other windows had not been restored. If you
were standing across the street from the church ...with your back to the NEA Building and looking at the
front of the church, there is a significant difference in the look of the front of the church. There is new
safety glass that covers and protects the stained glass on the outside that you see the stain glass through
the safety glass. If you look at the other windows that have not been touched, the old cloudy Plexiglas
hides the windows. The window frame was cleaned and painted on the inside and the outside. There is a
nice gray paint on the outside of the windows and white paint on the inside. Once the paneing was
completed, the windows were placed back into the frame and sealed inside the frame and the new safety
glass was installed.
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In a photograph that was taken at Higgins & Associates... one of the panels that had been cleaned and
was compared - on a light table - to a panel that had not been cleaned.....and what you will see is almost
a 200% difference in the amount of light that is transmitted by the new, cleaned and refurbished
panel.....than the old window panel.
Interviewer: Now that the window has been restored, will there be periodic checks for damage,
deterioration, and so forth? And if so, who will conduct the check? This question was also asked of
Higgins & Associates and they said that they would like to be invited back every 3, 4 to 5 years to
assess the window. So, what are you all going to...?
Terry: I believe that there was a recommendation that came from Higgins & Associates that suggested
some kind of periodic inspection. That recommendation will be adhered to and then placed on a schedule.
Interviewer: But, you don’t think that anybody will be going around every month to look at the
window?
Terry: Oh no, not every month!
Interviewer: According to the interview with Higgins & Associates, the restoration work, that they
did, should last 80 years.
Terry: Yes, the work itself should last 80 years. But one of the things......the reason for the periodic
inspection is that any time you are dealing with a lot of glass and lead and all of that, in addition to
sunlight and cold, heat and cold, expansion and contraction.... for over some period of time, things
become a little weak and they may need to be tighten up, somewhat. That doesn’t mean that the entire
window structure has to be tightened up. It might be a few pieces here and there. There were some
technical things that Higgins & Associates did that will help those windows deal with expansion and
contraction.
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The larger panes of stain glass ... the larger pieces- now have “breather joints” installed. They are very
small, but help the window to last longer...this is something that the windows did not have in its original
configuration.
Interviewer: Thank you Trustee Terry Johnson. [End Interview] ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
INTERVIEW WITH GENE HIGGINS OF HIGGINS & ASSOCIATES
Interviewer: What was your reaction when Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal
Church approached your company - Higgins & Associates - to restore the church's famous
and beloved "Episcopacy Window?"
Gene Higgins: When I first was introduced to Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, I was honored to be
considered as the studio to preserve and restore the history of the ‘Episcopacy’ window. I know
it’s a major liturgical piece of art for the Metropolitan A.M.E. Church as it is a nationally
recognized AM.E church. My main concern was in the preservation for the future generations to
be able to enjoy the past history of the African American Methodist church as represented in the
circular art portion of the window.
Interviewer: What tasks were necessary in order to restore the window?
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Gene Higgins: We carefully had to photograph and document each panel and each section of
the stained glass art window prior to its removal.
Once the documentation was completed, we carefully crated and transported each panel to our
studio in Front Royal, VA.
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When the window was uncrated in the studio, we went through a process: First, photographing
the window once again, documenting any cracks and pieces of art glass that had to be replaced
or restored to the original state.
Secondly, we made a rubbing, also known as a cartoon in the trade, of each individual panel so
that we could properly de-lead and restore the stained glass art window.
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After all the glass was restored, cleaned, or replaced to match the original window, it was then
reassembled with all new lead came around each piece of stained glass as you would with a
jigsaw puzzle.
The panels were then soldered, glazed and braced with new structural support to prevent the
window from buckling and decaying in the future.
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Once this was completed, the window was crated and returned to the job site for installation
where it has been recently reinstalled in the existing wooden frame which we also had to perform
some restoration to prior to the installation of the protective covering which is ¼” clear
laminated safety glass.
Installing Restored “Episcopacy Window”
Page ‐ 11 ‐
The “Episcopacy Window” Restored and Installed
Interviewer: Were there challenges involved in restoring the window?
Gene Higgins: Several of the pieces of glass that we had to restore, for example, the Lamb of
God sitting with the Bible, had been replaced once before from the original art.
Restored “Lancet Windows”
Educational Dept
(Below left of Episcopacy
Window”)
Missionary Dept
(below center of Episcopacy
Window”)
“S” [Sunday School Dept
(below right of Episcopacy
Window”)
“S” [Sunday School Department]: Lamb of God Sitting With Bible
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We were able to recreate the style of art based off the beehive, which is in the center lancet of the
stained glass art window
The challenges we faced were finding the right glass, which was etchable and paintable to
maintain the consistency within the art that was previously created.
Interviewer: What was the joy for you and your team of artisans during restoration of the
window?
Gene Higgins: The joy for our associates was the fact that we knew we were a part of the
African American history at the Metropolitan AME church and that we had properly restored
and preserved that history for further generations to appreciate and enjoy the spiritual meanings
of your belief.
Interviewer: What was the reward for you and your team of artisans upon completion of
the restoration project?
Gene Higgins: We undertake each project knowing this is God’s house that we’re working upon
and we use every effort of our talents and our spiritual beliefs to do the best work possible
knowing that God is looking over us and that we have preserved something, a piece of art and
that we can look up to God and say “thy will be done” and we give thanks to the Lord for the
talents he has blessed our team with.
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Interviewer: What is the care required of MAMEC to make restoration of the "Episcopacy
Window" last?
Gene Higgins: On the restoration, re-leading, and ¼” clear laminated safety glass that was
installed during the restoration and preservation project of the “Episcopacy Window,” I would
suggest every 3-5 years Higgins & Associates will stop by just to evaluate the condition of the art
which should be in excellent shape! It might need a dusting in the future but with the efforts that
the Metropolitan AME church put in with the funds to preserve this piece of art, this window
should be able to maintain its life span another 80 years based off the work that we completed.
[END OF INTERVIEW]
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INTERVIEWS WITH PRESIDING ELDER AND TWO (2) SENIOR MEMBERS REGARDING RESTORATION OF “THE EPISCOPACY WINDOW” The Rev. Dr. Louis-Charles Harvey: Presiding Elder of the Potomac District
of the AME Church pastored at Metropolitan AME from 1996 to 2001 responded: “The
Episcopacy window reflects the continuity of the AME traditions and rituals.” He recalled being
pleased and excited when he learned of the church’s plans to have the window fully restored. He
would remind the church in his December 19, 2010 sermon delivered at the Madison Hotel that
“Metropolitan had not engaged in major renovation in 172 years.” He encouraged members to
“look forward to “greater glory” upon the conclusion of the restoration, a major part of which
was the painstaking Episcopacy window project.”
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Deaconess Nellie Abner has been a member of the church since she relocated to
Washington DC as a very young lady. During her membership in the church, she was at one time
President of MAMEC Lay Organization – for about 10 years. She is a member of the Sarah
Allen Missionary Society and serves as a Deaconess. Below is Deaconess Nellie Abner’s
interview with the PR Commission.
Interviewer: As a senior member of Metropolitan, the PR Commission would like to get
your opinion on the restoration of the “Episcopacy Window” – the center window in the
balcony above the sanctuary. Do you know which window this is?
Nellie: It’s the Episcopacy window. It was there when I got here and I’ve been a member of
this church for 65 years! I came here when I was a very young lady.
Interviewer: Did you participate in the removal service for the window? That is, were you
there when the window was taken out?
Nellie: No, I was not able to go.
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Interviewer: Had you planned to go?
Nellie: Yes, I planned, but I had a stroke and I am not able to get around. Reverend Braxton
held a ceremony for removal of the window. And he did mention to the congregation that “if you
can, come down while they are taking the window out.” That window was there when I got here
...that window has been there ever since the church has been here. The church is 174 years old.
Interviewer: So, have you looked at the window since it has been restored?
Nellie: It’s brighter...it’s brighter...it’s much prettier than it was...it has always been a pretty
window. But, the light shines much brighter through it now.
Interviewer: Looking at how much brighter the window is, are you able to see that the
design is the same? In other words, nothing has changed in the original design of the
window?
Nellie: Yes.
Interviewer: So, do you know... what that window is all about?
Nellie: The four (4) Horsemen...the four (4) Horsemen...of the A.M.E. church.
Interviewer: The Horsemen...the Horsemen of the church?
Nellie: Yes,...of the A.M.E. church...not Metropolitan...but of the A.M.E. church
Interviewer: You want to name them for me?
Nellie: William Paul Quinn...Q – U – I – N – N. Paul Quinn...has a school named for him in
Texas. The man who led “Wilberforce.: Daniel A.Payne ...P – A – Y – N – E... he had a school
named for him....”Wilberforce.” Henry McNeil Turner...they have an AME church named for
him. .
Interviewer: So far, you’ve told me about Payne, Quinn, and Turner. Who was the fourth
person?
Nellie: The Four Horsemen- Daniel Payne, Paul Quinn, Henry McNeil Turner, and Richard
Allen. He was the founder of the A.M.E. Church! He should be in that window.
Interviewer: So when you look at that window, do you get a special feeling...like a warm
and comforting feeling?
Nellie: Yes, it’s a warm feeling.
Interviewer: Does the feeling you get remind you of our religion?
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Nellie: ...Yes, those men were faithful. They weren’t really about money. They just served. They
didn’t have any money. They had to save for when they built this church. They didn’t have the
money...when they built this magnificent church... with pennies and quarters.
Interviewer: So, when you look at that window... what message do you think it sends to the
congregation?
Nellie: Reverence!
Interviewer: Do you think the “Episcopacy Window” should be a joy for the members and
visitors?
Nellie: It should! It should. All those windows are... conferences from other churches...from
other districts...every window in Metropolitan. Each conference donated a window to this
church...because it’s called The National Cathedral.” They all raised money to send money to
beautify this church.
Interviewer: And the window still adds beauty to the church?
Nellie: I think it does. This is just me being partial, but I think it is a beautiful church.
I just feel good just to know that those old ladies and those old men had the insight to build a
church like this...off quarters and nickels. That’s all they had!
Interviewer: Prior to the Episcopacy window being taken out for restoration, did you ever
notice that it needed any kind of repair or renovation. In other words, did you ever notice
any damage to the window or deterioration...?
Nellie: In all the years, you know it had to be...it had to have some damage. You can’t keep a
house unless you do some kind of repair to it. I do know that. And having it there for a hundred
years...had to do something to it. So, they say it was falling apart. I did not realize that, but I
should have known. It just deteriorated...all those years! It got bad. Nothing lasts forever. I
realize that. And, it was wood. The whole church is nothing but brick and mortar. It’s no steel
in the church. Of course, they didn’t know what steel was a hundred years ago! It was rotting
then, but we did not realize it. We just came to church... every Sunday morning...look at it and
say, “It’s pretty.” We didn’t know it was deteriorating!
Interviewer: Do you feel that the church congregation was united to take on restoring the
window once they found out about it? Were they excited about having something done
about the deterioration of the window?
Nellie: Yes...yes, I really think so. They paid $120,000.00 for that window. Somebody had to do
something. That’s how much it cost.
Interviewer: Did you ever attend any of the meetings [regarding the window]
Nellie: No, I didn’t go to any of the meetings.
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Interviewer: But you got feedback from other people who were there?
Nellie: Yes.
Interviewer: Now that the restored window is in, you are excited about it and you think it’s
pretty, how do you feel the congregation feels about the window? Have you heard anybody
talk about the window?
Nellie: No. But Reverend Braxton had us turn around one Sunday and look at the window,
when they first put it in. And, I’ve mentioned it to other people.
Interviewer: So whenever you come to church and you know that Episcopacy Window is
up there, is that a reward for you?
Nellie: Yes, yes. I feel good about it. Thanks to our “Four Horsemen”! And, I gave you their
names: Daniel Payne, Richard Allen, Paul Quinn and Henry McNeil Turner. I’ve been in this
church for 65 years! I love my church. I really do!
Interviewer: Thank you Deaconess Nellie Abner. [END INTERVIEW]
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Reverend Johanna Green is a 4th generation member of our Metropolitan African
Methodist Church (MAMEC).where she was baptized and remains a dedicated member. She was
nurtured through the Sunday school, the Church and the Junior Missionary Department. On
becoming an adult and a member of MAMEC’s Sarah Allen Missionary Society, Reverend
Green was guided by leaders in the church to assume leadership roles in the Sunday school and
on the Board of Trustees. She has held other leadership roles at the conference, district and
connectional levels of the Missionary Society. Her past leadership roles included Director,
Washington Conference Branch – Young Peoples’ Division; Director of 2nd Episcopal District –
Young People’s Division (Wash. DC, MD, VA, and NC), and Connectional Director – Young
People’s Division - Women’s Missionary Society. Reverend Green is currently on MAMEC’s
Ministerial Staff as an Associate Minister. She most especially remembers the religious
teachings by her grandmother, Sister Florence Butler and her mother Mrs. Helen Newberry.
Below is Reverend Johanna Green’s interview with the PR Commission.
Interviewer: As a senior member of Metropolitan, the PR Commission would like to get
your opinion about the Episcopacy Window that was recently restored?
Johanna: Well, I can tell you that I am a 4th generation member of the church. My
grandmother always told me the stories of her parents helping to build this building. She said
that the women scraped mortar off bricks of the old facility where they were coming from. And,
her father was one of the men who carried pails of water to mix the cement.
Interviewer: Well, for this interview, we’ll just focus on the Episcopacy Window – the
round or rose window that was restored.
Page ‐ 17 ‐
Johanna: Well, the window is such a beautiful window. All I could say is that everyone, who
comes in, talks about it because it has so much information.
Interviewer: Do you remember when the window was taken out?
Johanna: Yes.
Interviewer: Were you at the ceremony?
Johanna: Yes.
Interviewer: Then you should be in the picture of the congregation that gathered for
removal of the window...
Johanna: Yes, you should see me standing right over to the side. I read something that was
given to me read, so I guess you can say I did a reading at the ceremony.
Interviewer: The PR Commission is planning a publication that will cover the window’s
restoration. Several pictures of the removal of the window will be included; so you will be
able to see yourself at the ceremony.
Johanna: I know that it was sent off to be done, but I’m not familiar with that.
Interviewer: Now that the window has been restored and reinstalled, have you spent any
time looking at the window? Have you been up in the balcony to get a closer look at the
window since its restoration?
Johanna: I sit up near the pulpit and I turn around and just look at the window. Because you
see, they are still working up there and it’s dangerous.
Interviewer: From where you are sitting near the pulpit, can you tell a difference in what
the window looked like before and after?
Johanna: Oh, yes! It’s much brighter and clearer.
Interviewer: \When you look at the window, what comes to mind? What do you think that
window represents, right away? What does it say to you?
Johanna: The history of the church...my grandmother used to repeat the history of the church to
me over and over. What also always comes to mind is my grandmother sitting and talking to me
about the church. She was a Steward here. She made communion bread for many years for the
church. Her family was here. Out of my mother’s 12 children, she chose me to just sit and chat
with all the time. We were close to each other. She had such a love for this building, as I said,
because her parents had put so much into the building.
Interviewer: Did your grandmother ever talk about the Episcopacy Window?
Page ‐ 18 ‐
Johanna: No, she didn’t just talk about that particular window because, you see, windows are
all around the church. The windows are beautiful and I guess everything else that they drilled
into me was really the service and the communion and my considering that it is a sacred time in
my life. That’s what my grandmother told me over and over again.
Interviewer: From memories of conversations you had with your grandmother and how the
window brings back the history of the church, it seems it reminds you of how you spent
time in the A.M.E. church.
Johanna? Yes, yes! It helps. Yes, it was the total A.M.E. church that I worked with.
Interviewer: So when you look at that window, it’s an inspiration for you?
Johanna: Yes, it inspires me. And when I sit and look at it, it takes me back to a time when I
was just sitting on the floor and listening to my grandmother tell me about the church. She just
told me over and over again. And being a young person, I was just thinking and saying to
myself, “This is not a game.”
Interviewer. Did you ever look at the window and think maybe something was happening
to the window?....That it could be deteriorating? Did you ever think anything could
happen to the window...that it would end up being restored?
Johanna: Well, I saw the church. I knew...I was smart enough to know that not everything lasts
forever. I noticed it about the whole church... that it needed repairs. And the windows, of course,
and all were.... I was happy when they decided to restore the church. I had talked with some
friends...I said, “You know, I know that there are not that many Black people living in the
Washington area now, but it could still become an historic place.” For my grandmother...it was
an historic place here in the District. You see, my grandmother taught me about the church and
she would tell me about each of the windows and something about each of the conferences and
all. She knew about all the windows. And you know, being a young person, I listened to some of
it and some of it I didn’t listen to... I remember her working with me. But specifics, I don’t
know. As we restore the church, there’s lots of information and I still have piles of historical
information that I am getting ready to go through and that grandmother may have told me
about... and I may have underlined.
Interviewer: Again, you said you were happy when they were getting ready to restore the
window?
Johanna: Yes! They were getting ready to do something.....that window had so much history in
it.....so much history in the window. I felt that what they should be concentrating on was making
this church an historic site. We can have worship here, but it ought to still be in some manner a historic place. It’s just like a museum.
Interviewer: Do you feel that the congregation was united to do the restoration of the
window?
Page ‐ 19 ‐
Johanna: Oh, I think so...I think so. It’s the history. Most of the older people here...we have
been just groomed to know the history and try to remember it. It had to be restored. And, we
knew that it would cost money to do it.
Interviewer: You say that you can see the window from where you are sit in church. Do
you ever hear anybody talk about the window?
Johanna: Yes. People talk about it...because it’s beautiful...and especially when the sun is out!
But my thought is that whenever I see that window...it goes back to just my grandmother, just
telling me over and over and over about all the windows in the church.
Interviewer: Well, we’ve talked about the Episcopacy window. You’ve seen the window
and you say the congregation thinks it’s beautiful. You feel that the congregation was
united to restore it. And when you look at the window, it inspires you to remember the
history of the church that your grandmother shared with you . Is there anything else you
would like to share about the Episcopacy Window?
Johanna: It’s just that my grandmother would talk about the history. She wanted me to stay in
this church. When I look at that window, I go back to my grandmother and her parents...and the
building of this church...how the women scraped the mortar off the bricks from the old church
for the building of this church, and how the men carried pails of water.
Interviewer: What is the reward for you, whenever you look up and see the window?
Johanna: I think of my grandmother. My grandmother had 12 children, but my grandmother
chose me as her child and she talked to me all the time...all the time. I think that my
grandmother’s presence...in my mind and my presence with her as I grew up...that window fits
right in...Still!
Interviewer: Thank you Reverend Johanna Green. [END INTERVIEW]
≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
The 123-year-old “Episcopacy Window” located on the balcony level of Metropolitan A.M.E –
Church - The National Cathedral of African Methodism - completed a “restoration journey” within months. Today, looking at the window - from any angle (see page 26) - one can only
discern that it has been restored by how much brighter it is and how much brighter sunlight
shines through the window angular panes. The “Episcopacy Window” was restored to its
original beauty and perfection.
Page ‐ 20 ‐
“EPISCOPACY WINDOW” ANGULAR PANES WITH BISHOPS’ NAMES (1 OF 3) Page ‐ 21 ‐
“EPISCOPACY WINDOW” ‐ INDIVIDUAL ANGULAR PANES REMOVED FOR RESTORATION (2 OF 3) Page ‐ 22 ‐
“EPISCOPACY WINDOW” ‐ ANGULAR PANES REMOVED FOR RESTORATION (3 OF 3) Page ‐ 23 ‐
“Episcopacy Window” Installed - After Restoration Journey
Page ‐ 24 ‐
NOTES
Page ‐ 25 ‐
NOTES
Page ‐ 26 ‐
Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church
“The National Cathedral of African Methodism”
1518 M Street, NW
Page ‐ 27 ‐
Washington, DC 20005
Page ‐ 28 ‐