An Angel Presenting a Fallen Soldier to the Risen Christ

Photo © Martin Crampin, Imaging the Bible in Wales larger image

1920 Two-light window. The risen Christ, carrying the cross, blesses a soldier presented by an angel. technique: stained glass Designer: Mary Lowndes Church of St Mary, Spittal, Pembrokeshire east wall of the chancel Text: 'Greater Love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend'. Plaques beneath the window, concealed behind the reredos, read 'In memory of Major John A. Higgon, Pembrokeshire Yeomanry late Royal Welch Fusiliers, attached Austalian Infantry. Killed in action at Fleurbaix, France, July 19th 1916. This window is erected by his wife Llurline.' The window was previously thought to have been given in memory of Archibald Bellairs Higgon, who was killed in action at Gallipoli, 9 September 1915. With thanks to Patricia Johnson for the correction. The Higgon family had been domiciled at Scolton Manor in the parish for over 200 years. The composition seems to be a sustained meditation on Charles Wesley's hymn 'Let saints on earth in concert sing', as there are references to almost every verse in the depiction. Note also the Eucharistic imagery (pelican in her piety, chalice and host) and references to the Resurrection (the Agnus Dei and the rising sun behind the soldier, which is probably a portrait of Major Higgon).  (ObjectID=43 ImageID=1067) Original File Name=_MG_2278.jpg

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

• angels 
• carrying of the cross: Christ bearing the cross, alone or with the help of others  [Matthew 27:31-33; Mark 15:20-22; Luke 23:26-33; John 19:17]
• the soldier; the soldier's life 

Martin Crampin, Stained Glass from Welsh Churches (Talybont: Y Lolfa, 2014), p. 201.

Martin Crampin and John Morgan-Guy, Imaging the Bible in Wales (Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2010), The Victory of Good Over Evil: A Crown of Life.

Thomas Lloyd, Julian Orbach and Robert Scourfield, The Buildings of Wales: Pembrokeshire (New Haven/London: Yale University Press, 2004), p. 456-7.

Painton Cowen, A Guide to Stained Glass in Britain (London: Michael Joseph, 1985), p. 223.

Photo © Martin Crampin, Imaging the Bible in Wales