Sanctuary Apse Windows

Photo © Martin Crampin larger image

1947 Set of five round-headed windows in the sanctuary apse depicting the Annunciation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension and Pentecost. technique: stained glass artist: Francis Spear Church of the Resurrection, Ely, Cardiff east wall of the sanctuary Texts at the tops of the windows, from left to right: 'The Lord shall descend like dew upon the fleece' (from the Eastern Orthodox Liturgy for the Annunciation); 'He was oppressed & He was afflicted & the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all' (Isaiah 53:7, 6); 'In the third day he will raise us up & we shall know & follow Him' (Hosea 6:2–3, abridged); 'God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet' (Psalm 47:5); 'Upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit' (Joel 2: 29). Unusually, the artist has abridged and amended the biblical texts, sometimes changing the order of the phrases around. For example, Joel 2:29 reads 'And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.' In each instance, and notably with the scene of the Annunciation, the texts demonstrate a theological sophistication and a creative personal approach. Given in memory of William Tatem, Lord Glanely, with money provided for in the will of his sister. The Annunciation window bears the dedication 'These Altar Windows were given in memory of Lord Glanely by his Nephew, George C. Gibson.'  (ObjectID=5114 ImageID=10090) Original File Name=Ely_Resurrection_DSC2053B.jpg

This artwork is indexed under the following main subject(s):
for other works containing these subjects please click on the links.

• Christ ascends into heaven; apostles (and Mary) beneath  [Acts 1:9-11; Luke 24:50-51]
• Christ, usually holding a banner, arises from the grave; often combined with sleeping and/or frightened soldiers 
• crucified Christ with Mary, John, and Mary Magdalene  [Matthew 27:45-58; Mark 15:33-45; Luke 23:44-52; John 19:25-38]
• Pentecost: the Holy Ghost descends upon (Mary and) the apostles, sometimes Paul and/or representatives of the nations present  [Acts 2:1-4]
• the Annunciation: Mary, usually reading, is visited by the angel  [Luke 1:26-38]

Martin Crampin, Stained Glass from Welsh Churches (Talybont: Y Lolfa, 2014), p. 246.

John Newman, The Buildings of Wales: Glamorgan (London/Cardiff: 1995), p. 288.

A Directory of Stained Glass Windows executed within the past twenty years (London: The British Society of Master Glass-Painters, 1955), p. 78.

Photo © Martin Crampin