President Chester Alan Arthur completed the term that President James A. Garfield was elected to in 1880, due to him serving as President Garfield’s Vice-President. His administration was met with skepticism as Arthur was a crony of the Stalwart Republicans, something Garfield’s Reformers wanted to deal with hastily. Even Garfield’s assassin was a Stalwart who wanted the Vice-President to ascend to the role that Garfield held. Beyond his election to the vice-presidency, the now-President had only served in appointed positions rather than elected ones.

President Arthur’s father, The Rev. William Arthur was a Baptist Minister during his time. That said the younger Arthur did not lean toward the Baptist faith. Instead he was often found attending Episcopal parishes when he attended church. His wife Ellen was a devout Episcopalian and they were married at Calvary Episcopal Church in Manhattan in 1859.

In 1880, Ellen died suddenly and that took a considerable toll on Chester Arthur. When he eventually moved into the White House he commissioned a stained-glass window in memory of his wife for St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square, so he could see it from his perch on Pennsylvania Avenue.