Scenes and Characters from the Bible

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

1868 Large five-light window with many individual scenes and groups of characters from the Bible. At the top of the central light there is a depiction of the Crucifixion with Mary Magdalene at the foot of the cross, flanked by the adoration of the Lamb and the Risen Christ, with a woman washing Christ's feet below. Beneath are two scenes showing John the Baptist, including the Baptism of Christ. To the left are Old Testament characters including Abel, who is making his sacrifice, Moses before the burning bush and David playing the harp. Above David an angel appears to Corneilus. In the outer left-hand light are various figures which include Moses, Aaron and another priest, Peter, John and Paul, a bishop and a crusader. Further groups and scenes in the right-hand lights including apostles. technique: stained glass firm/studio: Clayton & Bell Eglwys Oen Duw, Beulah, Powys west wall of the nave The overarching subject of the window is rooted in the Apostles' Creed, which is quoted across the bottom of the window: 'I believe in the Holy Cath. Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting'. Given by Alicia Thomas in 1868, in memory of her son Henry Thomas (died 1863) and in memory of her grandson Evan Thomas (died 1864). The inscription, and much of the detail of the window, has faded.  (ObjectID=1920 ImageID=4351) Original File Name=_MG_6253.jpg

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

• a woman washes Christ's feet with her tears, and wipes them with her hair  [Luke 7:37-39]
• Abel offering (alone) - the sacrifice of Cain and Abel  [Genesis 4:4]
• adoration of the Lamb on Mount Sion by the 144-thousand - Apocalypse  [Revelation 14:1-5]
• baptism of Christ in the river Jordan: John the Baptist pouring out water on Christ's head: the Holy Ghost descends  [Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34]
• crucified Christ with Mary Magdalene, who usually weeps and embraces the cross  [Matthew 27:45-58; Mark 15:33-45; Luke 23:44-52; John 19:25-38]
• David as musician, usually playing the harp 
• John the Baptist identifies Christ as the Lamb of God ('Ecce Agnus Dei')  [John 1:29; John 1:36]
• John the Baptist preaching (perhaps Christ among the bystanders)  [Matthew 3:1-5; Mark 1:6-7; Luke 3:2-3]
• lamb bearing cross or banner, 'Agnus Dei' - symbol of Christ 
• Moses, kneeling before the bush and hiding his face, listens to God - calling of Moses  [Exodus 3:2-6]

Ruth Bidgood, Eglwys Oen Duw Church and Parish (1993), p. 4.

Martin Crampin, Stained Glass from Welsh Churches (Talybont: Y Lolfa, 2014), p. 113.

Richard Haslam, The Buildings of Wales: Powys (Harmondsworth/Cardiff: 1979), p. 283.

William Waters, Angels & Icons: Pre-Raphaelite Stained Glass 1850–1870 (Abbots Morton: Serapim Press, 2012), p. 362.

Photo © Martin Crampin, Imaging the Bible in Wales