Earnest Workers Window

The Earnest Workers Window

author:  Frances Nenney


On the left as one enters the sanctuary from the rear, is a beautifully designed stained glass window in shades of blue, yellow, amber, brown, purple, red, green, and white.  It bears the legend, “The Boys of the E. W. Society,” and was a gift from these boys.  E. W. standing for Earnest Workers.  In the old church this window was behind the organ.


These young boys, Clifford Dinsmore, Charles Emerson, John Emerson, Tom Hammond, Charles  Abbott, Roy McWilliams, David Varner, Douglas Marley, and others, embroidered gingham pillows and sold them to their loyal mothers in order to raise the necessary funds.


Their teacher was Miss Margaret Erwin, aunt of Dr. J. C. Erwin , Jr., and a beloved art teacher here for many years.  Her assistant was Miss Annie Belle McWilliams, now Mrs. J. A. McKey, a resident of Presbyterian Village [1974].  Mrs. McKey recalls that these pillows were of a “spidery” design.


In later years, Clifford Dinsmore became an elder in the Grand Avenue Presbyterian Church, Sherman, Charles Emerson moved to Dallas and headed a pharmaceutical laboratory there; John Emerson died in World War I; Tom Hammond worked for McKinney Dry Goods; Charles Abbott had a jewelry store on the northwest corner of the square; Roy McWilliams became a minister  and served as a Chaplain in the military service; David Varner moved away; Douglas Marley was at one time treasurer of the Board of Deacons.

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