Installed: 1900

Memorial name: Little Memorial Window

Dedicated to: James Lovell Little (1810-1889)

Donor: John Mason Little (son)

Location: Main floor, left side

In The Annunciation, the divine power of the archangel is suggested by his physical dominance of the composition — the outstretched hands and elaborate wings virtually explode beyond the window’s borders. The archangel’s power is also expressed through his illuminated essence, conveyed through the solid white background, and the voluminous draping of his robes, created by taking full advantage of the opalescent qualities of the glass. In contrast, Mary is dressed in shades of green and dark blue. Her hands are raised in a gesture of humility and awe as she learns her fate from the divine messenger. The arch of vines creates a secondary inner border, reflecting the integral relationship between nature, the divine, and humankind.

The window is dedicated to James Lovell Little (1810-1889), a Boston merchant and businessman who was one of the original organizers of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Little was also honored for his support of the Union cause and his care for soldiers and their families during the Civil War. The donor of the window was his son, John Mason Little (1848-1919). Both father and son served as the chair of the Prudential Committee, the governing body of Arlington Street Church. The window has an unusual inscription — Little’s signature recreated in glass paint. The imprint wording of “Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company” indicates that the window was glazed prior to the adoption of the new “Tiffany Studios” name in 1902.

Glenn Kulbako Photography