Saint Dunstan

1942 – Washington National Cathedral

This was the first window Rowan made for Washington National Cathedral.  He made it when he was 16.  He tells the story of getting the commission for this window from Philip Frohman, the architect of the cathedral in the video below.  Interestingly, Mr. Frohman was also a child prodigy and designed his first house at the age of 14 and was the youngest person to pass the California state architectural examination.

Who was Saint Dunstan?

Frohman gave Rowan some great information about Saint Dunstan and Rowan and his mom also went to work looking him up.  In the second video on this page, Rowan recounts this research.  It is amazing that this interview was done when Rowan was 82 and he is recalling this research from when he was 16.

Iconography

From the Catheral’s Book “Jewels of Light,” by Elody Crimi and Diane Ney, we have this description of the iconography in the window. “It depicts Dunstan in a bishop’s mitre and bearing a small organ and smith’s tongs, emblems of his musical ability and craftsmanship in metals. LeCompte chose to depict a charming legend from his life.  One day while eating the scriptures in his cell at Glastonbury Abbey, Dunstan heard the most beautiful music coming from his harp.  Turning to see who was strumming the instrument, he saw an angel, who informed Dunstan that he was playing a hymn called Gaudent In Coelis (“They Are Rejoicing In Heaven”).”

Meeting Philip Frohman

Year Completed

1942

Artists

Rowan LeCompte

Fabricator

Rowan LeCompte

Location In Building

Crypt, Center For Prayer and Pilgrimage (Saint Dunstan’s Chapel), South Transept (restricted access)