Our Historic Tiffany Windows

The Briarcliff Congregational Church (BCC) is endowed with many wonderful gifts, both spiritual and material.

One of the church’s priceless treasures is its collection of stained-glass windows—monuments of living light. All the windows were donated as memorial gifts, a tradition started by the church’s benefactor and founder of Briarcliff Manor, Walter W. Law, with the installation of BCC’s first Tiffany window. Most of the windows represent specific biblical stories; some show historic figures; others’ symbolisms have multiple interpretations; all allow the viewer’s imagination to soar. Each is beautiful to see; each changes as the light moves with the day. The windows at BCC are also a reflection of the history, life, and traditions of the church as well as that of the community.

The window collection, installed between 1898 and 2001, is an extremely important representation of stained glass in America and illustrates the preferences and changing tastes of memorial windows during this time period. Perhaps the most well-known among these top-notch companies is Tiffany Studios. BCC has seven magnificent Tiffanys, installed between 1898 and 1906. This remarkable body of work reveals the firm’s extraordinary production range, and features designs by two of the studio’s pre-eminent artists, Frederick Wilson and Agnes Northrop. In all, the church is graced by 17 stained-glass windows, including the work of several well-known studios and decorative arts companies besides Tiffany: J&R Lamb, NY; William C. Willett, Philadelphia; John Hardman Studios, Birmingham & London; and Woodhaven Studios, Bermuda.

For those interested in viewing the windows and learning more about their history, outstanding artistry, and connection with the village of Briarcliff Manor, the church offers tours and talks about this impressive collection. Please go to (link/drop down/ community events? Ask Miriam) for more information.