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Town Centre Churches

Architecture : The Windows

Windows and Pulpit

The Rose Window

The Rose Window

It is an angel window with a Latin inscription in the centre which means “He maketh His Angels Spirits, and His Ministers a flame of fire.” The four lights below represent the four Archangels. These windows formed part of the memorial to the first Vicar of St.Stephen’s, and were dedicated on Christmas Eve, 1911.

In the west wall of the North Transept are two lights representing the “Presentation in the Temple.” It has in Latin Simeon’s words; “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy Word;” and also Malachi’s prophecy “The Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to His Temple.”

The Apse of the Lady Chapel (Left to Right)

Apsidial Windows

  1. Blessed Virgin Mary’s girlhood in the temple. St.Anna the Mother of our Lady. She teaches our Lady the Old Testament.
  2. Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth. St.Elizabeth with her son John the Baptist. Birth of St.John the Baptist.
  3. Christ appearing to the Women returning from His Sepulchre. St.Salome, wife of Zebedee. Two angels greet the Women at the Sepulchre.
  4. Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple. (Central) Our Lady holding the Holy Child. The Annunciation.
  5. Appearance of Our Lord to Mary Magdalene on the first Easter Morning. St.Mary Magdalene. Our Lord’s Burial.
  6. Death of St.James, who was killed with a fuller’s club. St.Mary the Mother of S.S.James and Joses. Our Lord breaking bread with St.James after the resurrection.

Chancel Windows

The general scheme of the five apsidal windows is that of the “Te Deum.” The central figure represents Our Lord in Glory accompanied by various figures and angels. On the north of the central three-light window are the Glorious Company of the Apostles, St.Andrew, St.Peter , St James and St.John. On the south side are the Noble Army of Martyrs, St.Stephen, St.Alban, St.George and St.Thomas of Canterbury. Associated with these are the demifigures which contribute, with elaborate tabernacle canopy work to occupy the areas surrounding the principle figures, and generally fulfil the design.

Windows in the Calvary Chapel of St. Michael and the Holy Souls

The windows of this chapel, which is below the organ, are all in connection with music. From East to West they are as follows:

  1. Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, with cymbals.
    King David with his harp.
  2. Deborah, who sang her song of triumph after victory; with the scroll “Praise Ye the Lord.”
  3. St.Ambrose, supposed to be the author of the “Te Deum.”
  4. St.Gregory, whose name is still used in connection with plainsong.
  5. St.Aiden, Monk of Iona, and Bishop of Lindisfarne, a great founder of church life in the North of England.

South Aisle

These represent notable disciples of Our Lord in the Early Church: and the Prophets.

  1. St.Peter with the keys; and Hosea
  2. St.Andrew with the cross on which he was crucified; and Joel.
  3. St.James the Great, with the staff, bottle and shell of the pilgrim; and Amos.
  4. St. John with the chalice containing a serpent which failed to harm him; and Obidiah.
  5. St. Philip with his staff surmounted by a crown; and Jonah

West Gallery

  1. St.Bartholomew with a knife, the instrument of his martyrdom; and Michah.
  2. St.Simon with a saw and halbert; and Nahum.
  3. St.Luke with a book, and St.Paul with “the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.”
  4. St.Mark with a book and St.Barnabas with his book.
  5. St.Jude with a boat and fish; and Habakkuk.

North Aisle

  1. St.Matthew with quill and his gospel; and Zephaniah.
  2. St.Thomas with his set square. He was sold as a slave in India to work as a skilled carpenter, and started a mission there which has its descendants now; and Haggai.
  3. St.James the Less, with a fuller’s club and book; and Malachi.
  4. St.Matthias with halbert and book; and Zechariah.

Big West Window

West Windows

Looking down the nave we see the Great West Window over the gallery, which depicts scenes from the story of St.Stephen, our Patron Saint. In the upper part is St.Stephen accompanied by angels On the south side

On The South Side The setting apart of the seven deacons
The ordination of the deacons
The Almsdeeds of St.Stephen.
St.Stephen with the chalice.
In The Centre St.Stephen preaching.
His arrest.
Trial of St.Stephen.
Defence of St.Stephen.
On the North side St.Stephen’s vision.
He is cast out of the city.
He is stoned to death.
His burial.

The Pulpit

The pulpit of marble shows three scenes from the New Testament.

In the centre, Our Lord preaching the sermon on the mount, to his disciples

St Stephens Pulpit Center

at the sides St.Peter preaching on the first Whitsunday (Pentecost)

St Stephens Pulpit Left

and St.Paul preaching at Athens.

St Stephens Pulpit

It was dedicated on June 10th, in memory of the first Vicar’s wife. Designed by J.L.Pearson, sculptured by Nathaniel Hitch. The first sermon from it was preached by Canon Twells, first Vicar of St.Augustin’s (Author of the hymn “At even ere the sun was set.”)