NEW MEMORIAL WINDOWS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 52, 29 August 1925, Page 8

NEW MEMORIAL WINDOWS

UNVEILING AT ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, KELBURN

Two handsome side lights to the east window of St. Michael and All Angels' Church, Kolburn, will be unveiled at the 11 o'clock service to-morrow morning, one being tha gift of the_ children of the pariah as a memorial window to the men who fell in the Great War, and the other the gift of the late vicar (the Rev. A. \V. Payne, M.A.), who will be present for the occasion. The east window, as completed by the addition of these two side lights, depicts the Adoration of the Christ Child by tlie" Magi and Shephords. In the centre light- tho Madonna is_ represented seated upon a manger within a thatched harbour' which- extends into the side lights. XJpon her knee the Holy Child is seated with fingers raised in benediction, and upon both strike' the rays of the comet or star which came and stood over where the young Child was. Above the thatch of the roof is a little praying angel. The tree is symbolical of the Root of Jesse.' In the head of tho centre light among stars is "an angel of the heavenly host," bearing a ribbon inscribed with the words, "He for us men oame down from heaven." In the base is the memorial inscription, "To the glory of God, and in memory of Edward^ Anderson, who entered into rest, Ist June, 1919." In tho dextor light (heraldically), or left hand light, are the three kings, Melchiof,' Caspar, and Balthazar, who have cast oil their crowns before "Him born King of tho Jews," and opened their treasures upon the grass. About them and upon tho^ straw of the manger aro strewn their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. _ Above them is a rising sun, suggestive of the fact that thoy came from the East. In the bend of this light is a little representation of the Holy City; and above the great star or comet. The inscription in ' the base of this light reads, "Given to the greater glory of God by the first .Vicar of St. Michael's." In the sinister light (heraldically), or right hand light, is St. Joseph, who is represented with a bundle of kindling ■wood for a fire, his sandals thrown off us he enters tho manger. Behind ara the shepherds, who watched their flocks by night, and after the appearance of the nng-cl to them, journeyed to Bethlehem "to see the thing that had come to pass." Tho shepherds are represented as bringing simple gifts, eggs, and a young lamb. A shepherd boy with them carries a lantern on a fork of his crook. which may be considered emblematical of the coming of our Lord as the "Light of the World," or "The Light to Lighten the Gentiles," and another lantern rests upon the grass, suggestive of their nightly watche3. Above appear a sheepfold and belt of trees, bare of leaves, «nd above them the moon. The inscription below this light reads, "Given to the tflory of God and in memory of the bravo who fell in the Great War, by tho children of St. Michael's." Thi3 truly beautiful window was dosigned by Mr. Walter Camm, a wellIcriown stained-glass artist of the highest repute in England, and was executed by .Florence, Robert, and Walter Camm in thoir" studio at Smethwick, near Birmingham. Tho window, as completed, is remarkable for tho richness of its colourings and harmony of tones, and as a whole depicts the sacred subject of the "Nativity" with noble reverence and symbolism full of beautiful meaning. The children's memorial window will be unveiled by Nancy King, daughter of the-, late Lieut-Colonel King, C.M.G., D.5.0., who fell in France, and the other by Suzanne Barns, daughter of tha "Vicar's churchwarden. The service will be conducted by tho new vicar (the Rev. G. F. Petrie,-M.A.).