Scenes from the Life of Christ

Photo © Peter Bellis larger image

1873 Three-light window with six scenes. The left-hand light depicts the presentation of Christ in the Temple, and, below, the shepherds looking down at Christ in the manger. The central light depicts the Crucifixion with Mary, John a further male disciple and Mary Magdalene, over the Last Supper with Christ and the disciples. The right-hand light depicts Christ ascending into heaven with the disciples below while the lower picture shows Christ rising from the dead with sleeping soldiers below. technique: stained glass firm/studio: Ward & Hughes Church of St Mary & St David, Flint, Flintshire east wall of the chancel According to Malcolm Seaborne the window is signed and dated 'H. Hughes London 1873.' The three window lights, each with two scenes, were given by three different donors. Texts in the left-hand light: 'To present him to the Lord' and above the lower picture are the words 'Glory to God in the highest' and below this picture the words 'Born of the Virgin Mary'. The text at the bottom of the window reads 'To the Glory of God and in memory of Thomas Eyton'. Texts in the central light: 'It is finished' and with the lower panel 'This do in remembrance of me', while the dedication at the bottom reads 'In memory of John and Mary Hayward 1872'. Texts in the right-hand light: 'He ascended into heaven' and 'On the third day He rose again'. The text at the bottom of the window reads 'To the Glory of God and in memory of Edward and Sarah Williams of Pentre'. Rather than only using biblical quotes, as was more usual, the window draws on the creed for some of its short texts. The Eyton family were large landowners and coal mine owners in Flintshire; they owned several mines in Flint. They also gave the window depicting the Good Samaritan on the north side of the church, in memory of Robert Eyton. In the 1841 census John Hayward is described as the first Registrar of Births and Deaths in Flint. He lived with his wife at 1 Trelawny Square, owning a chemist and druggist shop. In later life he described himself as a surgeon. Edward and Sarah Williams were farmers in Pentre, Oakenholt and they donated the land for St David's Church in Oakenholt.  (ObjectID=4497 ImageID=8475) Original File Name=chancelwindows.jpg

This artwork is indexed under the following main subject(s):
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• adoration of the Christ-child by the shepherds; Mary and Joseph present  [Luke 2:16]
• 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]
• institution of the Eucharist, i.e. Christ showing or blessing bread (host) and/or wine  [Matthew 26:26-27; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20; John 13:26; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25]
• presentation of the Christ-child in the temple, usually Simeon and Anna present  [Luke 2:22-39]
• the Ascension  [Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11]

Malcolm Seaborne, Victorian and Later Stained Glass Windows in Flintshire Churches (Mold: 1996), p. 20.

Photo © Peter Bellis