Detective work and restoration skills combine to reinstate ‘lost’ window in City church

from Ecclesiastical & Heritage World Issue No. 93

Replica windows add to redevelopment’s charm

[A REMARKABLE DETECTIVE STORY emerged during the course of the past decade at St Katharine Cree Church in Leadenhall Street in the City of London.

It began in 2013 when a number of offices erected in the 1950s were removed, together with the plain glass that had been installed at the same time in place of stained glass. The stained glass panels had been stored in the intervening years and were passed to David Sear of Lincolnshire Stained Glass Studio Ltd for repair, along with some other pieces that had been in the crypt for many years.

David Sear discovered that a number of the fragments comprised a complete window depicting St Andrew, St George and St Patrick. It was a mystery where the window had originated and to whom it was dedicated. That was when the detective work began. It transpired that the window had originally been installed in the south aisle of the church and removed for repair – probably having been damaged in a bombing raid in May 1941.

David Sear informed the trustees of the church that the window was of ‘excellent quality’ and if restored would be beautiful. The decision was taken to research its history and raise funds for its restoration.

In a history of the church written by Ms Kathleen Campbell reference is made to a notice in the church magazine of 1916 that: ‘…a short service for the unveiling of the Memorial Window to our late Churchwarden, Mr Lyndsay-Smith will take place. The Lord Mayor will attend in state and perform the unveiling ceremony’.

When David Sear inspected the newlydiscovered stained glass panels further he noticed a dedication inscription, but all that remained were the words “Frederick Alexander – born February 1855”.

Attention turned to the London Diocesan Faculty records, where the key to solving the mystery was found. The full inscription on the window read: “To the glory of God and in loving memory of Frederick Alexander Lyndsay-Smith J.P. C.C. Churchwarden of this Parish, Born Feb 2nd 1855 fell asleep June 19th 1915.”

In addition to acting as churchwarden and a magistrate, Mr Lyndsay Smith was a merchant in the City, a member of the City of London Corporation for the Aldgate Ward and a Liveryman in the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights. The esteem in which he was held is reflected in the presence of the crest of the City of London on the window.

Following comprehensive restoration of the window by David Sear and his team at Lincolnshire Stained Glass Studio Ltd, the window was re-installed in the church in March 2018.

In May 2019 a dedication service was held in the presence of the Lady Mayoress and the Sheriffs’ Consorts, the Alderman of the Ward of Aldgate, Members of Common Council for the Ward of Aldgate, the Prime Warden of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, the President of the Aldgate Ward Club, the Chairman of the Trustees of the Friends of St. Katharine Cree Church and Friends of the Church. q • For further information visit the website at www.lincolnshire-stained-glass.co.uk

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