Christ as the Sower
detail from Ascension with Christ as Sower and Reaper

Photo © Martin Crampin larger image

1881 Three-light window with a scene of Christ ascending with four disciples below at the centre of the window. Figures of Christ in agricultural landscapes at each side, sowing seed in the left-hand light, and holding a sickle and large sheaf of wheat in the right-hand light. The scenes along the base of the window show a man being instructed by a teacher holding a scroll, the master and the three men from the Parable of the Talents, and a woman giving clothes to the poor. Four male saints are shown in the richly ornamented canopies over the main lights, including one holding a gridiron (Laurence) and another holding chains (probably Leonard). Female figures representing Faith, Hope and Charity (top) are found in the tracery lights with angels. technique: stained glass firm/studio: Burlison & Grylls Church of St John, Porthmadog, Gwynedd east wall of the chancel Given in memory of Edward Breese FSA, of Morfa Lodge, and his sister Elizabeth, wife of Robert Roberts in 1881. Edward Breese was the Receiver who managed the Tremadoc Estate, a Liberal politician and an antiquary. Elizabeth Roberts had been active in the efforts to build the new church. Inscriptions below the lower scenes: 'Doctor o'r Cyfraith, parchedig gan yr holl bobl' (Acts 5:34); 'Da, was da a ffyddlawn' (Matthew 25:21, 23); 'Hon oedd yn llawn o weithredoedd da' (Acts 9:36). Only the upper half of the window is visible from the main body of the church; photographs taken from above the roofed meeting room created in the original chancel. The inscriptions below the lower scenes identify the woman clothing the poor as Dorcas, and the teacher of the law as Gamaliel, a Pharisee who cautioned against acting against the apostles. A report in The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard, 18 November 1881, gives the title of this panel as 'Saul at the feet of Gamaliel', which refers to Paul's recollection of his training given in Acts 22:3.  (ObjectID=5503 ImageID=10764) Original File Name=Porthmadog_DSC0232-71C.jpg

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• after the return of the lord the servants account for their debts and are rewarded accordingly - the talents or pounds - parable of Christ  [Matthew 25:19-30; Luke 19:15-26]
• Christ as the sower - particular types of adult Christ - human occupations 
• Christ gathering the harvest - particular types of adult Christ - human occupations 
• Paul tells of his early training 'at the feet of Gamaliel'  [Acts 22:3]
• the Ascension  [Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11]
• works of charity of Tabitha: she makes clothes for the poor  [Acts 9:36]

Richard Haslam, Julian Orbach and Adam Voelcker, The Buildings of Wales: Gwynedd (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2009), p. 499.

Photo © Martin Crampin