Stained glass window for St Mary's Parish Church, Whickham

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The design spreads across the three lancet windows, in two sweeping arcs to the left and right focussing our eye on the cross in the central panel.

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Pure coloured glass has been used towards the edges of the work. In a range of tones of blue, the glass is transparent letting the light be transmitted through it. Concentrated light is introduced through the use of polished glass prisms. These are evenly spaced to make a rhythmic pathway, arcing upwards, leading the eye to the central cross and the lightest part of the design. The prisms are made of hot cast glass and ‘hold’ the light. On occasion they refract the light to produce a rainbow of colour on the surrounding area. The panels are cut through with clear ‘reamy’ (hand textured) glass in contrast with the blue, directing the viewer’s eye heavenwards.

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The centre of the middle panel is made in opal and clear ‘reamy’ glass, the central cross is also being made from hot cast glass. The intensity of light this brings, illuminates the area of the church around the window.

As previously stated, the window is a composition in blues and clear. The colour blue is synonymous with the Virgin Mary after which the church is dedicated. The design echoes the rhythmic pattern of arrayed line work in window at the west end of the church. The moon and stars in the tracery are references made in the quote from Revelations.

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‘And the New Jerusalem has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the Glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.’                                                                                                                Rev 21:23-24

 

‘Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path.’                                                  

         Psalm 119:105

 

‘The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it’.                                              

          John 1:5