Whitman Phillips (1816-1890)

While the window commemorating the life of Whitman Philips was not commissioned immediately upon his death, it was a significant commission upon the construction of the new church building begun in 1901 and completed in 1902. Mr. Philips was a prominent New York City businessman, operating at 306 West Street and living at 192 West 16th Street, in New York City. A flour merchant associated with Phillips & Sheddon, he was also very involved in New York City civic life, performing duties as an assessor for the Sixteenth Ward, including his neighborhood and the surrounding area. He later retired to Ridgewood, New Jersey, at 240 Prospect Street, currently known as the “Whitman Phillips House.”

The Ridgewood Methodist Church was later demolished in 1964 to make way for the church building that currently occupies that address today. As part of the demolition, the stained glass windows were removed and sold. Not an uncommon practice, as such pieces had fallen out of fashion and were not valued as they are today.