Stidham United Methodist Church
Jasper H. Stidham, a long time resident and land owner in Union Township of Tippecanoe County, died on April 24, 1912. He left instructions in his will that $10,000 be used to incorporate a church near Taylor Station within six months of his death. Reverend George W. Switzer of Lafayette was appointed by Bishop W.F. McDowell of Chicago to implement the terms of the will. In July of 1912, the first service was held in Union Township's Consolidated School Building. The Articles of Association of the Jaspher H. Stidham Methodist Episcopal Church were signed two months later.
Edna Browning Ruby
The beautiful stained glass windows of Stidham Methodist Church were created by the highly recognized artist, Edna Browning Ruby. In 1915, at the age of 28, the petite artist took up the study of stained glass. She gained great renown in ecclesiastical art. At the time of her death in 1937, she was the only woman in the United States who designed, built, and installed stained glass windows by herself.
Stidham's windows are not works of art that show people as are in many church windows but instead are made up of geometric and floral patterns. Ruby chose rich colors such as pink, emerald green, ruby, purple, and opalescent cream. The opalescent cream is like an opal stone...a play on colors with a creamy base and other colors playing through it.