Stained glass window book by mark orriss

CHRIST CHURCH, CLIFTON

A GUIDE TO OUR STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

By Dr Rhona Beare

Acknowledgements Dr Rhona Beare - Commentary Simon Dunsterville - Concept Becky Williams - Editor Walter Dirks - Photography Mark Orriss - Design 2

FOREWORD

And immediately Rather than words comes the thought of high windows, The sun-comprehending glass And beyond it, the deep blue air, that shows Nothing, and is nowhere, and is endless. Philip Larkin, High Windows

ideally suited to the Christianity of the Middle Ages, with its passion for representation, and its need to educate largely illiterate congregations.

To the mediaeval mind, stained glass was magical, a wondrous, almost alchemic transformation of base sand into this glorious, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sun-comprehendingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; substance. The power of stained glass lay in this ability to hold and transmit light, that highest of religious symbols in mediaeval Christendom, symbol of Jesus himself. It bridged the divide between time and eternity, the temporal and spiritual, life and death.

The windows of Christ Church reveal the focus of our Victorian forebears, with their portrayal of biblical characters (Ezra surely being the wild card!) and virtues such as charity, hope and faith. But the predominant subject, appropriately, is Jesus himself, portrayed especially as the healer. It is my prayer that as you wander our beautiful church and study these high windows, left by unknown artists, you will experience something of the wonder of those who first saw them - and like many of them, will sense Jesus himself drawing near to you. Spend some time under the depiction of him as the Good Shepherd, and remember his words of invitation and hope...

Stained Glass is almost exclusively known as a Christian art, but is thought to have originated much earlier in the Middle East. It is well represented in Roman finds, and, according to Bede, was brought to England in 680AD, when a window was made for the refectory at Jarrow Monastery, which remains the oldest known stained glass window in Europe. The medium was

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full. John chapter 10

Paul Langham, Vicar

EAST END

C B A

E F

H I

CHANCEL

K L

NORTH TRANSEPT

SIDE M CHAPEL N

ORGAN V

NORTH AISLE

CHURCH LAYOUT

WEST END 4

SOUTH AISLE

WINDOW INDEX CODE AND POSITION

PICTURE PAGE

A CHANCEL WINDOW - far left hand side Left window

Moses 6

B CHANCEL WINDOW - far left hand side Right window

Elijah

C CHANCEL WINDOW - left hand side Left window

St Matthew

D E

CHANCEL WINDOW - left hand side Right window

St Mark

CHANCEL WINDOW - centre Left window

Christ

F CHANCEL WINDOW - centre Right window

John the Baptist

G CHANCEL WINDOW - right hand side Left window

St Luke 12

H CHANCEL WINDOW - right hand side Right window

John the Evangelist

St Peter

CHANCEL WINDOW - far right hand side Left window

J CHANCEL WINDOW - far right hand side Right window

14 St Paul

K SIDE CHAPEL EAST WINDOW Left window

Ezra 17

K SIDE CHAPEL EAST WINDOW Right window

Jesus Reading in a Synagogue Peter and John Healing

L SIDE CHAPEL SOUTH WINDOW - left hand side lower

19 Charity

M SIDE CHAPEL SOUTH WINDOW - far left hand side

Marriage at Cana The Good Samaritan

M SIDE CHAPEL SOUTH WINDOW - near left hand side

Jesus Healing a Blind Beggar 22 The Prodigal Son

M SIDE CHAPEL SOUTH WINDOW - centre

Jesus Healing a Cripple at Bethesda Pool 23 The Good Shepherd

M SIDE CHAPEL SOUTH WINDOW - near right hand side

Jesus and the Sick Woman 24 The Workers in the Vineyard

M SIDE CHAPEL SOUTH WINDOW - far right hand side

Jesus Healing Jairusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Daughter 25 The Parable of the Talents

N SIDE CHAPEL SOUTH WINDOW - right hand side lower

Hope 27 Faith

O SOUTH AISLE WINDOW - left hand side

Dorcas The Good Samaritan

P SOUTH AISLE WINDOW - centre

Jesus with Little Children 30

Q SOUTH AISLE WINDOW - right hand side

The Good Shepherd Behold I Stand at the Door and Knock

R WEST WINDOW - above gallery

The Calling of the First Disciples

S NORTH AISLE WINDOW - left hand side

St Nathanael 37

T NORTH AISLE WINDOW - centre

Martha 39

U NORTH AISLE WINDOW - right hand side

Presentation of Christ in the Temple 41

V NORTH TRANSEPT WINDOW

Peace Temperance

CHANCEL WINDOW far left hand side

LEFT WINDOW

RIGHT WINDOW

Moses

Elijah

marked “A” on church layout map

marked “B” on the church layout map

Upper Picture

Moses shows one of the tablets of stone to the Israelites. The two white small rays on his head represent his face shining, see Exodus 34:29 - “When he came down from the mount, Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone”. The pair of angels in the lower part of this picture hold scrolls with “The Law was our schoolmaster, to bring us unto Christ” - from Galatians 3:24.

This picture illustrates 1 Kings 17:6, which reads “And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook”. The prophet Elijah the Tishbite had warned King Ahab that there would be an ongoing drought till God decreed otherwise. And God had told him to go and hide in the Cherith valley in the desert wastelands of the Jordan desert. There he stayed for some years, fed by the ravens and drinking from the Cherith brook, until God told him to go to Zarephath in Zidon, where he stayed with a widow, and God sustained Elijah, the widow and her son for months on the famous “handful of meal in a barrel and a little oil in a cruse”, which never failed. The pair of angels in the lower part of this picture hold scrolls with “To Him give all the prophets witness” - from Acts 10:43, when Peter speaks at Cornelius’ house.

Middle Picture Moses stands, holding one of the tablets of stone, on which are written the Law and the Ten Commandments. Under his feet is his name, “Moses”.

Lower Picture The Israelites had complained to God and Moses about the lack of water and bread and how they detested the manna which God had been providing (“our soul loatheth this light bread” is the pithy phrase in the old Bible!!). So God sent venomous snakes among them, which bit the people and many died. When they repented, God told Moses to make a fiery bronze serpent, put it up on a pole, and anyone who got bitten, could look at the bronze serpent and survive. The pair of angels in the upper part of this picture hold scrolls with “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” - from John 3:14.

Middle Picture Elijah holds a scroll reading “Elijah Prophet”.

Lower Picture As written in 2 Kings chapter 2, a chariot of fire is taking Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. His disciple Elisha, who will take over from him. picks up Elijah’s fallen cloak, with which Elijah has just parted the waters of the river Jordan, so that he and Elisha could cross on dry ground. Elisha will use the cloak in exactly the same way on his return journey, showing the prophets assembled on the other side of Jordan that Elisha has inherited Elijah’s power. The pair of angels in the upper part of this picture hold scrolls with a quotation from 1 Peter 1:10, where Peter speaks of the prophets “who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you”.

CHANCEL WINDOW left hand side

LEFT WINDOW

RIGHT WINDOW

St Matthew

St Mark

marked “C” on church layout map

(marked “D” on church layout map)

Upper Picture

Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus in a manger. The shepherds bring gifts. The heads of the ox and the ass can be seen. The pair of angels in the lower part of this picture hold scrolls with “Glory to God in the Highest” - from Luke 2:14.

Mary holds her baby. The Magi (the three wise men) offer gold, frankincense and myrrh. The star that led them shines above. The pair of angels in the lower part of this picture hold scrolls with “And on earth peace, goodwill towards men” - from Luke 2:14.

Middle Picture

St Matthew holds a book (his Gospel) and a round tablet with his symbol (an angel) on it. Under his feet is his name “Sanctus Matthaeus”.

St Mark holds a book (his Gospel) and a round tablet with his symbol (a winged lion) on it. Under his feet is his name “Sanctus Marcus”.

Lower Picture

Gethsemane. Jesus prays that the cup may pass away from him. The three disciples sleep. We see the cup. The pair of angels in the upper part of this picture hold scrolls with “I know whom I have believed” - from 2 Timothy 1:12. You will note that this is the first phrase from that verse, which reads in full “I know whom I have believed and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” The other three sections are held by angels in the next three windows (D, E & F).

Jesus carries the cross. The pair of angels in the upper part of this picture hold scrolls with “And I am persuaded that he is able” - from 2 Timothy 1:12. This quotation was started in the previous window and is completed in the next two windows. At the bottom of these two windows we read “Dedicated to the glory of God in affectionate remembrance of”. This sentence is completed in the next two windows.

CHANCEL WINDOW centre

LEFT WINDOW

RIGHT WINDOW

Christ

John the Baptist

marked “E” on church layout map

(marked “F” on church layout map)

Upper Picture

John the Baptist points to Christ and says that he is the Lamb of God (John 1:29). The pair of angels in the lower part of this picture hold scrolls with “Hosannah to the Son of David. Blessed is he that cometh” - from Matthew 21.9

Christ comes to John for baptism. An angel holds the garment Christ has taken off. The holy dove (the Spirit) descends from heaven upon Christ. The pair of angels in the lower part of this picture hold scrolls with “In the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest” - from Matthew 21:9.

Middle Picture

Christ holds a cross mounted on a staff. Under his feet is written “SALVATOR MUNDI” (Saviour of the world).

In his right hand the Baptist holds his symbol, the Lamb of God with a banner. In his left hand he holds a staff with the same banner attached to the top. Under his feet is written his name “SANCTUS JOHANNES BAPT”.

Lower Picture Jesus on the cross with Mary and the “beloved disciple” (John 19.26). The skull at the base of the cross shows that this is Calvary, “the place of the Skull, (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha)” (John 19.17). The pair of angels in the upper part of this picture hold scrolls with “To keep that which I have committed” - from 2 Timothy 1.12, being the third part of the complete quotation.

Lower Picture The Resurrection. Christ holds the cross with a banner, mounted on a staff, and rises from the tomb. Two soldiers who had been guarding the tomb lie dazed or half-awake. The pair of angels in the upper part of the picture hold scrolls with “unto him against that day” - from 2 Timothy 1:12, being the fourth and final part of the complete quotation.

At the bottom of the previous windows, C & D, we read “Dedicated to God in affectionate remembrance of”. The rest of the dedication - “William Miles by his widow and sister. He died the 13th of November AD 1844” - is at the bottom of these windows, E & F.

At the bottom of these windows we read “William Miles by his widow and sister. He died the 13th of November AD 1844”. This completes the dedication started in the previous two windows.

CHANCEL WINDOW right hand side

LEFT WINDOW

RIGHT WINDOW

St Luke

John the Evangelist

marked “G” on church layout map

(marked “H” on church layout map)

Upper Picture

Christ tells his disciples that whoever humbles himself like this little child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven (from Matthew 18:4). The pair of angels in the lower part of this picture hold scrolls with “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts” - from Isaiah 6:3. This quotation is completed in the next window with “The whole earth is full of his glory”.

Christ blesses the children (from Mark 10:13-16). The pair of angels in the lower part of this picture hold scrolls with “The whole earth is full of his Glory” - from Isaiah 6:3. This completes the quotation from window “G”.

Middle Picture St John holds a book (his Gospel) and a round tablet with his symbol (an eagle). Under his feet is his name “SANCTUS JOHANNES”.

Middle Picture St Luke holds a book (his Gospel) and a round tablet with his symbol (a winged ox). Under his feet is written his name “SANCTUS LUCAS”.

Lower Picture The disciples watch while the risen Christ ascends from a green hilltop. The pair of angels in the upper part of this picture hold scrolls with “today and forever” (from Hebrews 13:8) completing the quotation from the previous window G.

Lower Picture The supper at the village of Emmaus, with the risen Christ and the two disciples (from Luke 24:30). The pair of angels in the upper part of this picture hold scrolls with “Jesus Christ same yesterday” - from Hebrews 13:8. This quotation is completed in the next window with “today and forever”.

At the bottom of the window we read “for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). This completes the quotation from the previous window G.

At the bottom of this window we read “Blessed are the pure in heart” (Matthew 5:8). The rest of this quotation “for they shall see God” is at the bottom of the next window H.

CHANCEL WINDOW far right hand side

LEFT WINDOW

RIGHT WINDOW

St Peter

St Paul

marked “I” on church layout map

(marked “J” on church layout map)

Upper Picture

An angel releases Peter from his chains and leads him out of prison, while the soldiers sleep (from Acts 12:6 -10). The pair of angels in the lower part of this picture hold scrolls with “I will make you fishers of men” - from Matthew 4.19.

As Paul approached Damascus, a light shone from Heaven and his horse reared. Paul fell to the earth (from Acts 9:3). The pair of angels in the lower part of this picture hold scrolls with “Whom ye ignorantly worship we declare unto you” - from Acts 17:23. This is what Paul said to the Athenians after seeing an altar dedicated “to an unknown god” (from Acts 17).

Middle Picture St Peter holds the key to the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 16:19). Under his feet is written his name “SANCTUS PETRUS”.

Middle Picture St Paul holds his symbol, a sword. Under his feet is written his name “SANCTUS PAULUS”.

Lower Picture Lower Picture

Christ tells Peter to let down the nets, and a vast number of fish are caught (from Luke 5:6). Christ tells Peter and his brother Andrew “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men” (John 4:19). The pair of angels in the upper part of this picture hold scrolls with “This man hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses” - from Acts 2:32, being Peter’s own words.

Paul is preaching at Lystra. At the front sits a man who has been lame since birth (from Acts 14:8). Paul will heal him. The pair of angels in the upper part of this picture hold scrolls with “through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins” - from Acts 13:38. Paul says this of Christ when preaching in the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia.

SIDE CHAPEL - EAST WINDOW

LEFT WINDOW

RIGHT WINDOW

Ezra

Jesus Reading in a Synagogue

marked “K” on church layout map

These two pictures and their quotations illustrate the story of Ezra’s return to Jerusalem, determined to restore God’s laws. When he prays before the house of God, repenting on behalf of all Israel, a great crowd of Israelites, men, women and children, assemble and join him, and are moved to repent also and put things right with God.

Upper Picture Jesus is reading aloud verses 1 and 2 from chapter 61 of the book of Isaiah in the synagogue at Nazareth. Under the picture is written “As his custom was he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath Day” - from Luke 4:16.

Upper Picture Ezra teaches God’s law to the people.“He had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord and to do it” - from Ezra 7:10.

Peter and John Healing

Lower Picture

Ezra is casting himself down before the house of God. “When Ezra had prayed, there assembled with him a very great congregation” - from Ezra 10:1.

As Peter and John are going to the Temple at the hour of prayer, a lame beggar asks them for money. Peter says he has none, but will give him what he can. “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” The picture shows Peter taking the beggar by the hand and raising him up, completely healed. Note the beggar is still holding his crutch in the other hand. Under the picture is written “Peter and John went up together into the Temple at the hour of prayer” - from Acts 3:1.

At the bottom of both windows we read “In memory of Barnard Sussex Cooper of Clifton. Born 13th August 1829. Died 14th December 1905.”

SIDE CHAPEL - SOUTH WINDOW left hand side small lower window

Charity marked “L” on church layout map

This woman has a halo and her tunic is red - the colour of charity or love (“agape” or Christian love). In Renaissance and mediaeval art, Charity is usually depicted with children round her; in our picture there is only one child (but it’s a small picture!). In the Authorised Version of Corinthians 1:13 the last verse is “Now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.” The three theological virtues are Faith, Hope and Charity. They are called “theological” because they mean faith in God, hope in God and the love of God poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. They are quite different from the four “cardinal” virtues, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance and Prudence, which even the pagan Greeks and Romans admired. This picture of Charity ties in with those of Faith and Hope on the right hand side of the main 5 windows (“N” in church layout map). Under Charity we read “To the glory of God”, under Hope we read “The gifts of Henry” and under Faith “and Ellen Lucas”.

SIDE CHAPEL SOUTH WINDOW marked “M” on church layout

FAR LEFT HAND SIDE WINDOW

Marriage at Cana The upper picture shows the marriage at Cana. A servant pours water into a pot and Jesus turns it into wine. Underneath is written “St John 2:7”, which reads “Jesus saith unto them ‘Fill the pots with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim.”

The Good Samaritan The lower picture shows the Good Samaritan tending the poor man who had fallen among thieves. Underneath is written “St Luke 10:34”, which reads “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion on him”.

NEAR LEFT WINDOW

Jesus Healing a Blind Beggar The upper picture shows Jesus healing a blind beggar. Underneath is written “St Mark 10:51”, which reads “And Jesus said unto him ‘What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?’ The blind man said unto him “Lord, that I might receive my sight.”

The Prodigal Son The lower picture shows the Prodigal Son being embraced by his father. Underneath is written “St Luke 15:20”, which reads “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion and ran, and fell on his neck and kissed him.”

CENTRE WINDOW

Jesus Healing a Cripple at Bethesda Pool The upper picture shows Jesus healing a cripple beside the colonnaded Pool of Bethesda. Underneath is written “St John 5:8”, which reads “Jesus saith unto him ‘Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.’ And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked.”

The Good Shepherd The lower picture shows Jesus holding a shepherd’s crook and carrying home a lost sheep on his shoulders. Underneath is written “St Luke 15:6”, which reads “And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them ‘Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.’”

NEAR RIGHT WINDOW

Jesus and the Sick Woman The upper picture shows the sick woman (who has been subject to bleeding for 12 years) coming up behind Jesus and touching the hem of his garment, certain that if she does so, she will be healed. Jesus feels the power go out of him. Underneath is written “St Matthew 9:22”, which reads “Jesus turned and when he saw her, he said ‘Daughter, be of good comfort. Thy faith hath made thee whole’. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”

The Workers in the Vineyards The lower picture is an illustration from Jesus’ parable about the workers in the vineyard. The foreman has just paid one penny each to the men who had only worked for the last hour, and now these men who had been hired first and had borne the burden and heat of the whole day, expecting a lot more, are complaining when they too receive only one penny. Underneath is written “St Matthew 20:10”, which reads “But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny”.

FAR RIGHT WINDOW

Jesus Heals Jairus’ Daughter The upper picture shows Jesus healing the twelve year old daughter of Jairus, who sits beside her on the bed, whilst her mother kneels in front, and some disciples are behind Jesus. The girl had in fact died a little while ago, while Jesus was on the way, and the crowd are scornful when Jesus tells them that she is only asleep. Underneath is written “St Mark 5:41”, which reads “And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, ‘Talitha cumi’; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise”.

The Parable of the Talents The lower picture shows an illustration from the parable of the talents. A lord had gone away, leaving three servants with five, two and one talent respectively, to do their best with. Those with five and two talents doubled their lord’s money, but the third had just buried his one talent and done nothing with it. When their lord returns and wants an account, the third servant is punished severely and his talent given to the one who had ten talents. The picture shows the lord praising this servant, who is offering the ten talents to his lord. Underneath is written “St Matthew 25:21”, which reads “His lord said unto him ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord’”. There is a dedication just above the railing at the bottom of the window, across all five sections, which reads “To the glory of God, the gift of W.A.F. Powell J P, of Norland House, Clifton, 1881”

SIDE CHAPEL - SOUTH WINDOW right hand side small lower window

Hope and Faith marked “N” on church layout map

These two women, both with haloes, are FAITH and HOPE, and with CHARITY (in the LHS Small Lower Window, coded “L”) form the three theological virtues, explained in Charity’s notes. HOPE on the left has Noah’s dove above her head, holding an olive branch in its beak (see Genesis 8:11 - “When the dove returned to Noah in the evening, it had in its beak a freshly plucked olive branch. Then Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth.”). She stands in front of an anchor. In Hebrews 6:18 - 19 we are told to lay hold upon the hope which we have as an anchor of the soul. FAITH on the right has a gold crown above her head, and holds a cross in her right hand. In her left hand she holds a book (which may be the New Testament) and a palm branch, which may refer to Revelation 7:9; “They (a great multitude) were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands”. At the bottom we read under Hope “the gifts of Henry”, and under Faith “and Ella Lucas” completing the dedication started under Charity, and reading in full “To the glory of God, the gifts of Henry and Ella Lucas”.

SOUTH AISLE WINDOW left hand side

LEFT WINDOW

RIGHT WINDOW

Dorcas

The Good Samaritan

marked “O” on church layout map

(marked “O” on church layout map)

Dorcas is the Greek for “gazelle” and in Aramaic it is Tabitha. In Acts chapter 9 we read that Tabitha was a disciple in Joppa, always doing good and helping the poor, making robes and other clothing for them, as depicted in the large picture, where she is called Dorcas and has a halo. Under the picture is written “The charity of Dorcas”.

The Good Samaritan, with a halo, gives a drink to the wounded man who had fallen among thieves. Behind them we can see the priest and the Levite, who had both passed by on the other side. The artist has caught the look of disdain on the priest’s face and the way the Levite has buried his head in his book. In the smaller picture below we see that the Good Samaritan has put the man on his own beast (the artist is sure it was a donkey, judging by the long ears!) and taken him to an inn, and taken care of him. Now on the following morning he is giving two pence to the innkeeper and asking him to continue looking after him, and if more money is needed, the Good Samaritan will recompense him on his return journey. There is a glimpse of the wounded man in bed, just behind the innkeeper’s left elbow.

In the smaller picture below we see the climax of the rest of the story. Tabitha had died and been laid out in an upper room. St Peter, who had been summoned from nearby Lydda, had got down on his knees and prayed. He then turned and said “Tabitha, arise”. We see the result; Tabitha opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, sat up, restored to life.

At the bottom of these windows we read “Charles Bowles, died August 3rd 1856”.

SOUTH AISLE WINDOW centre

LEFT WINDOW

RIGHT WINDOW

Jesus With Little Children

Jesus is holding an infant in his left arm and pointing to it. Since they all have haloes, the five men round him are apostles, not just disciples (the beardless apostle at the back is possibly John, the beloved disciple). This is almost certainly taken from Matthew 18:1-6, where the disciples argue over who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven; Jesus calls a child over and tells them that they won’t get into heaven unless they change and become as little children. Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

marked “P” on church layout map

The quotation above and around Jesus reads “Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not” - from Luke 18:16, and the picture shows Jesus with his right hand raised and blessing them. In the smaller picture below we see Mary seated with Jesus on her knee. Beside her is Joseph in purple with a staff. Kneeling in front of Jesus is his cousin, John the Baptist, 6 months older than him, holding a cross on a staff, which is his symbol. The vase of white lilies at the front is Mary’s symbol, and Jesus’ halo has a cross on it.

In the smaller picture below, continuing the theme of little children, a small boy holds a traveller’s staff, because he is on a pilgrimage from this world to the heavenly Jerusalem. A dragon follows him but is kept off by a guardian angel. At the bottom of these windows we read “Henrietta Hare, died January 12th 1891”.

SOUTH AISLE WINDOW right hand side

LEFT WINDOW

RIGHT WINDOW

The Good Shepherd

Behold I Stand at the Door and Knock

marked “Q” on church layout map

The quotation at the bottom of the picture, “I am the Good Shepherd” - from John 10:14, is illustrated by Jesus carrying a sheep on his shoulders and holding a crook. He is assisted by two angels, one holding open the gate to the sheepfold made of hurdles.

The quotation reads “Behold I stand at the door and knock” - from Revelation 3:20, and is illustrated by a man looking out of his house window when he hears knocking at his door. It is Jesus holding the Bible.

In the smaller picture below we see Jesus holding a crook and rescuing a sheep from briars. The quotation reads “The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” - from Luke 19.10.

In the smaller picture below, the rest of this quotation “If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him”, is illustrated by Jesus and the man sitting at table and eating a meal together. It is clearly Jesus and the same man, since he is wearing the same clothes as in the picture above. At the bottom of these two windows we read “In loving memory of Ellen Sarah Day, wife of Sussex Cooper of Clifton, died Jan 18th 1888”.

WEST WINDOW above gallery

The Calling of the First Disciples marked “R” on church layout map

The quotation above and below the picture “Come ye after me and I will make you to become fishers of men” comes from Mark 1:17, and we see Simon and his brother Andrew kneeling at Jesus’ feet on the beach of the Sea of Galilee, with fish all round them, to show they are fishermen by trade, while their partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, are hauling at their nets in the boat behind them. It is astonishing that immediately all four men “left everything and followed Jesus”. Above the picture is a cross surrounded by a crown of thorns.

NORTH AISLE WINDOW left hand side

St Nathanael marked “S” on church layout map

These pictures are the two halves of a single scene. They illustrate the quotation from John 1:48 written under them, “Nathanael saith unto him, “Whence knowest thou me?” Jesus answered and said unto him, “Before that Philip called thee when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee”. Jesus is shown in the centre of the right hand picture with a red halo with a cross, and the five saints, Peter, John, Andrew, Nathanael and Philip, all have their names in their haloes. The fig tree can be seen behind Nathanael and Andrew in the left hand picture. Andrew is pointing out Jesus to Nathanael, Philip is pointing out Nathanael to Jesus. According to John’s Gospel, Jesus had just been baptised by John the Baptist in the River Jordan, and Jesus then set about appointing his twelve disciples. He finds Philip and says to him “Follow me”. Philip goes off and finds Nathanael and tells him “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote Jesus of Nazareth, son of Joseph”. “Nazareth!! Can anything good come from there?” asks Nathanael (is this question asked in scorn or wonder?!). “Come and see” says Philip. When Jesus sees Nathanael approaching, he says of him “Here is a true Israelite, in whom is nothing false”. Nathanael asks Jesus how he knows him (“Whence knowest thou me?”) and that is what the picture is all about. At the bottom of these two windows we read “In loving memory of Robert Coles of Canynge Road, who died 28th December 1890”.

NORTH AISLE WINDOW centre

Martha marked “T” on church layout map

These pictures are the two halves of a single scene. Around Jesus’ head is the quotation “I am the resurrection and the life” - from John 11:25. Below the two pictures is the next verse “Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never perish”. Martha, her sister Mary and their brother Lazarus were dear friends of Jesus. It was Mary who had anointed Jesus with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair. Lazarus died four days ago. His sisters had sent word to Jesus straightaway but he did not go to them at once for his own good reasons. When Martha heard that Jesus was finally coming, she went out to meet him. Her incredible faith is shown straightaway when she tells Jesus that her brother would not have died if Jesus had come at once, but that nevertheless whatever he asks of God, God will give to him. When Jesus tells her that Lazarus will rise again, Martha replies that she knows he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. This is where the illustration shows Jesus telling her that he is the resurrection and the life. Martha replies that she knows he is the Christ. Jesus does raise Lazarus from the dead and restore him to his sisters. At the bottom of these two windows we read “To the glory of God and in loving memory of Boddam Castle of Grove House, Clifton and of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law. Born Jan 6th 1819. Died Oct 9th 1891”.

NORTH AISLE WINDOW right hand side

Presentation of Christ in the Temple marked “U” on church layout map

These pictures are the two halves of a single scene. Under the pictures is a quotation from Luke 2:22 “They brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord”. It was written in the Law of Moses that every first born son was holy to the Lord and must be redeemed as soon as possible after 31 days by a sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. So on the left in the Temple in Jerusalem we see Mary and Joseph, who is carrying a wicker basket with the two birds to be sacrificed, and on the right are Simeon, holding the baby Jesus, and the prophetess Anna, a widow of great age, who served God in the Temple day and night. Simeon was just and devout and had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. He was led by the Holy Spirit to the Temple and immediately realised that this little baby was indeed the promised Messiah. He took him up in his arms, blessed God and said “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation”. This is the first verse of the Song of Simeon, called “Nunc dimittis” (“Now you are letting depart” in Latin), which is often sung towards the end of a service. Anna the prophetess had entered the Temple at that moment, who also gave thanks to God and reaffirmed that this baby was indeed to be “the redemption of Israel”. At the bottom of these two windows we read “To the glory of God, in memory of Henry Sidney Wasbrough, born March 25th 1813, died Feb 7th 1892.”

NORTH TRANSEPT WINDOW

Peace and Temperance marked “V” on church layout map

In the left hand picture we see PEACE, holding in her left hand a cornucopia (horn of plenty) filled with fruit and ears of grain, and in her right an olive branch, the symbol of peace. The lamb by her left leg is a mild, peaceful creature, as are the two doves by her right leg. She therefore does not stand merely as the opposite of war, but positively, for a peaceful mild character that enables a man to live at peace with his neighbours. In the right hand picture we see TEMPERANCE. She has captured a dragon and imprisoned it in a tower, which she is holding. It illustrates Revelation 20:12, where “an angel came down from heaven with a great chain, laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him”. The angel restrains the dragon while Temperance represents self-control and self-restraint, thus restraining violence. Another allusion is the reins of a bridle over her left arm, which restrain and control a horse, as St James in his Epistle says every man should bridle his tongue and that we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us. In his Epistle to the Galatians St Paul writes that the fruit of the Spirit includes peace and also temperance, as shown on these two windows. A third fruit is goodness, which is illustrated in the window to your right, regrettably obscured by the organ which was installed at a later date. At the bottom of these two windows we read “To the glory of God, and in memory of Horace Meyer, M A, Vicar 1881 - 1893”.

Text ÂŠ Dr Rhona Beare, 2015 Photographs ÂŠ Walter Dirks, 2015 All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise without the prior permission of Christ Church Clifton. The authors have asserted their rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1998, to be identified as the Authors of this Work.

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