Winthorpe Church Windows

The new stained glass window has now been fixed, to replace the broken window at the west end of the north aisle. It depicts St. Christopher crossing a river and carrying a child "Child, why are thou so heavy? It seems that I am carrying the world." "Not only art thou carrying the world, but him who made it and I name thee Christopher, the carrier of Christ." It could be the River Trent and Newark Church spire is shown. Stars and moon can be seen in the sky. "Who are these like stars appearing?" the idea being that anyone might be called to be a saint. St.Christopher is the patron saint of travellers, which is particularly appropriate for Winthorpe, which is bounded by the Great North Road and crossed by the Fosse Way. The window has been made to allow as much light as possible to come through it into the dark church. The artist has signed it in the bottom left hand corner "BRONWEN GORDON 1983." She studied at the Edinburgh Art College before the war, has specialised in stained glass, and now lives in Cambridge. Last year Lord Belper commissioned her to make a stained glass window for Kingston-on-Soar Church, which is also in Southwell diocese. We are very lucky to have been able to obtain the services of such a talented artist, and most grateful to her for being so modest in her fees.

 

Extract from Focal Point. September 1983.

 

 

A new stained glass window has now been fixed to replace the broken one in the north aisle. Peter Roach took out the old window and helped the artist's son to fix the new window and there were no difficulties.

The new window depicts St Francis of Assisi, and the face was taken from a XIII century fresco of him, which was more or less contemporary. St Francis died in 1226. The window has been made to allow as much light as possible to come through it into the dark church. The artist has signed it in the bottom left hand corner "BRONWEN GORDON 1989."

When the PCC discussed the replacement window, Reverend Herbert Langford suggested it might be Bishop Grosseteste of Lincoln. He lived 1175 - 1253 and was the first teacher of theology in the Franciscan School at Oxford. We all know of St Francis, but few of us know of the Bishop. The adjoining window in the north aisle is of St Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, so there was a connection, besides the birds, which abound in Winthorpe. The old dark window depicted Abraham and St. Francis is a great improvement. Bronwen Gordon also designed and executed the St Christopher window, also in the north aisle. She is a well-known and talented artist and has been commissioned to make stained glass windows throughout England and Scotland. A window was made by her for Kingston-on-Soar Church in this diocese. We are most grateful to her for doing this work for us.

W. Packe.

Extract from Focal Point. June 1989.

 

NOTE.

Further readings can be found in  

        All Saints' Church in Volume1.

        The Bells of All Saints' Church in Volume 3.

        Winthorpe Church - Property 1764 in Volume 4.

        Consecration of All Saints' Church, Winthorpe in Volume 4.

        The Churches at Winthorpe in Volume 4.       

        Stained Glass Windows in All Saints' Church in Volume 4.

        Memorials In All Saints' Church in Volume 4.

        All Saints' Church Bells, Winthorpe in Volume 4.