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In the political history of the State, Mr Stow took a conspicuous and leading part. He was appointed to the first Board of Education in 1846 and served on many other public committees. He was one of the strongest opponents of State Aid to religion (schools) and was successful in having such assistance in this Colony abolished in 1851. His strongly held belief and principle was in the separation of Church and State.
In February 1862 Mr Stow went to Sydney and had fulfilled a month's pulpit supply at the Pitt Street Congregational Church when he was taken ill. He died on 19 July at the home of Mr John Fairfax, a deacon of the Pitt Street Church, and the owner of the "Sydney Morning Herald". He was buried in the West Terrace Cemetery on 7 August amid the mourning of the whole city. Both Houses of Parliament closed their sittings and the banks closed for two hours. Many Ministers of the Crown, Legislators and heads of government departments were present, as well as representatives from all the churches, including the Roman Catholic and Hebrew congregations.
Walk to the centre space in front of the sanctuary to view the millenium rose window in the eastern transept.