St Christopher Window

  St Christopher Window

Photo © Martin Crampin

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1889
Two-light window. In the left-hand light Christopher is shown wading through the waters with the Christ-child on his shoulder. In the right-hand light a nimbed male figure kneels before a vision of the Christ-child surrounded by child angels. Further images of children with biblical texts in trefoils above.

technique: stained glass

firm/studio: James Powell & Sons
designer: Christopher Whall

Church of St Seiriol, Penmaenmawr, Conwy
north wall of the Lady Chapel

Texts below the main lights: 'When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee' (Isaiah 43:2); 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me' (Matthew 25:40).

Texts in the upper trefoil lights: 'So when they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, He delivereth them out of their distress' (Psalm 107:28); 'For He maketh the storm to cease so that the waves thereof are still' (Psalm 107:29); 'Then are they glad because they are at rest and so He bringeth them unto the haven where they would be' (Psalm 107:30).

Dedication: 'To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Robin the youngest child of William and Hannah Watts Jones, born 21st February 1880, died at sea 3rd November 1885.' The tragedy of this event clearly explains the themes and texts chosen in the window. The usual adherence to the Authorised version of Psalm 107 is displaced by the translation from the Book of Common Prayer, as one of the prayers to be used at sea. Some of the more realistic faces in window may be family portraits.





 

For other views of this work click on the image(s) below:

St Christopher WindowSt Christopher WindowSt Christopher: St Christopher WindowInfant Christ Seated on a Rainbow: St Christopher WindowAngel Rescuing a Child from the Water: St Christopher WindowSt Christopher WindowBiblical Text: St Christopher Window

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Further reading

Martin Crampin, Stained Glass from Welsh Churches (Talybont: Y Lolfa, 2014), p. 175.




View this object on the Stained Glass in Wales Catalogue


  St Christopher Window

Photo © Martin Crampin


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