From Tom Dimitroff of Corning, NY

Not surprisingly, Carder an Anglican in England joined Christ Episcopal when he came to Corning. Christ’s Church would be referred to as a higher Episcopal church meaning it is more like the Anglican church than many Episcopal churches.

Carder, like many at that time, sat in his own pew (no pun intended). He was a devote church member. Corning’s Christ Episcopal Church was dedicated in 1895 during a building boom in Corning. About $100,000.00 was spent building the church and furnishing it. By the time Carder came to Corning in 1903, the church had three Tiffany windows. The first, portraying the Ascension of Christ was a magnificent Tiffany window costing between $5,000.00 and $6,000.00. Later in 1897 John Hoare of cut glass fame gave another such window. Then in 1902, another window was added in memory of Sara Byers Tully.

It should be remembered that the Tiffany decoration of Christ Episcopal Church in Corning came after a damaging fire destroyed much of the interior of the church. (The windows were saved). The Tiffany Company did $15,000.00 worth of work in the church. This included six new stained glass windows.

Another thing that is true about this period is Carder’s admiration for Tiffany’s work. Yes, there was a lawsuit over the formula of Aurene. But as Carder would say, it was small potatoes. There was no major animosity between these two great glass artists. They were in fact most likely the two greatest in 20th century America. I know this last comment is opinion, so please take it as such.

There is one story about Carder and the Church that I will share here. This story is one of many that grew from Carder’s more than occasional use of bad language. The minister of Christ Church at the time of the story was a priest whose voice lacked any real projection and as a result, his sermons could barely be heard. According to the story on one Sunday as the sermon droned on unheard by most, it was suddenly interrupted by an unmistakable voice with a strong English accent coming from the region of Carder’s seat booming out, “I can’t hear a damn thing the man says.” I was told this story by a true gentleman and very successful Corningite who said he was there and heard it!

Carder supported his church the best he could. Carder was never a rich person. He lived on middle class means. He had one opportunity in his life to most probably become rich. He passed this up, but that is another story.

Then from Marshall Ketchum of Genoa, New York
Mr. Carder’s church, Christ Episcopal Church, 33 E. First St., Corning, has more than Tiffany windows. It now has a wonderful Cire Perdue piece that Bobby Rockwell has donated to the church in memory of his mother, his father and his wife. Everyone attending the Symposium should try to see it if it is open to the public.