Scenes from the Life of Christ and St Stephen

Photo © Martin Crampin larger image

1882 Five-light window. The main scenes (from left to right) depict Christ being baptised by John the Baptist, the dove of the Holy Spirit descending; Christ healing the sick; Mary and John at either side of the crucified Christ; the Risen Christ with angels and soldiers; Christ seated in majesty amid angels. Below each of these are five scenes from the life of Stephen: the apostles laying their hands upon Stephen; Stephen ministering to the poor and the sick; Stephen kneeling as he is stoned; Stephen's body borne away to be buried; Stephen standing among a group of figures and graves below, angels blowing trumpets above. Angels in the tracery lights. technique: stained glass firm/studio: John Hardman & Co. Church of St Stephen, Old Radnor, Powys east wall of the chancel Texts: 'Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered and being made perfect he became the author of eterl salvation' (Hebrews 5:8-9, the word eternal is abbreviated to fit the design). 'Stephen full of faith and powe, did great wonders and miracles' (Acts 6:8). 'Lord Jesus receive my spirit' (Acts 7:59). 'Devout men carried Stephen' (Acts 8:2); 'Behold I see the heavens opened' (Acts 7:56). While the style of the window is clearly that of the firm of John Hardman, it may be that the architect Frederick Preedy, who also worked in stained glass, was involved in the design of the window.  (ObjectID=2351 ImageID=7322) Original File Name=OldRadnor_DSC6125.jpg

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• 'Salvator Mundi', making a blessing gesture; an orb in his hand or at his feet 
• 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]
• burial of Stephen  [Acts 8:2]
• Christ, usually holding a banner, arises from the grave; often combined with sleeping and/or frightened soldiers 
• Crucified Christ with Mary and John on either side of the cross; Holy Rood  [John 19:25-27]
• miracles of Christ - healing the sick 
• seven deacons chosen, among them Stephen, who may be shown kneeling before Peter - community of disciples  [Acts 6:1-6]
• Stephen preaching (and baptizing)  [Acts 6:8]
• the stoning of Stephen; the witnesses lay down their clothes at Saul's feet  [Acts 8:54-60]

R. W. D. Fenn and J. B. Sinclair, 'Old Radnor Parish Church' Radnorshire Society Transactions, vol. 58 (1988), 88.

Richard Haslam, The Buildings of Wales: Powys (Harmondsworth/Cardiff: 1979), p. 264.

Robert Scourfield and Richard Haslam, The Buildings of Wales: Powys (New Haven/London: Yale University Press, 2013), p. 389.

Photo © Martin Crampin