Nathaniel Manning Memorial

1955 – Washington National Cathedral – South Trancept, Southwes Turret Staiway

This is the second of five windows that Rowan and Irene created for the walls of the dark spiral staircase that runs up the southwest turret.  They are each about 2 feet six inches tall and 8 inches wide.  Mainly abstract in design, this window is a collage of coats of arms.  The pastel glass background allows the deep blues and reds to frame these symbols. While this is an esthetically pleasing design, it is one of Rowan and Irene’s rare windows that show little emotion.

Iconography

This window is a memorial to Nathaniel Manning, who contributed to the health and welfare of the burgeoning American colonies as both a pre-Revolutionary War physician and an Anglican clergyman.   This window, featuring seven coats of arms that are related to Nathaniel’s life, was donated by one of his descendants, Louise Edrington Willis (author of a 1953 history of the family), together with other family members. As detailed in Jewels of Light,by Elody Crimi and Diane Ney, these seals and their symbols (listed from top to bottom) represent New Jersey, where he was born in 1738; medicine; the Manning family; a colonial flag; Virginia, where he served as a priest; Princeton University, where he studied; and the seal of the Bishop of London, who ordained him to the priesthood in England.

Year Completed

1955

Artists

Rowan LeCompte

Irene Matz LeCompte

Fabricator

Rowan LeCompte

Irene Matz LeCompte

Location In Building

South Trancept

Southwest Turret Stairway