The Rose Window is in memory of Horace N. Stevens who died in 1951 and who for many years was a leader and benefactor of our Society. He was the donor of the Stevens Fellowship [scholarships to encourage and enable people to join the ministry]; one of the first Stevens Fellows, Rev. Nicholas Cardell, became our minister in 1961.

As with the stained glass window on the east wall, there is much symbolism in the Stevens window. It was designed by artist Riva Halfond Barrett, a beloved member of our society. On the Arts and Memorials Committee with Riva were Virginia Goldman, who now resides on Cape Cod, and the late Cateau DeLeeuw, who designed the Robinson Memorial window and chaired the Arts and Memorials Committee at that time. Both windows were executed by Oliver Smith of Philadelphia.

Horace Stevens was a rose fancier. He was a good and generous friend of the Unitarian Service Committee, an organization well known in the many countries where representatives of the committee have served. He was also committed to the philosophy of brotherhood and sisterhood and the universality of mankind's religious experience.

The artist has combined in the window the colors of the many roses in the Stevens garden, and the flaming chalice of the U.S.C. symbolizing the holy oil of helpfulness and sacrifice spreading warmth and life. The clasped hands of man and woman extending across the earth, the planets in their orbits, the signs of Yin and Yang — all symbolize the feeling of brotherhood this man had for all people.

[Written by Victoria Long, 1989]