St Mary's Church, Kington - focus on the stained glass

 

St Mary's Church in Kington. I know that Marlane will remember it very well!

The Norman tower - with its later 18th C broach spire - which would have been used as a place of rescue in times gone by - you can just make out the inset pieces I took poor close-ups of (below).  The church dates to the 13th C but was only joined onto the tower at a later date.

This is apparently an 18th C preaching cross, but it looks MUCH earlier to me.  The niche would have held a small statue.

The stairs at the side of the tower are a much later addition - not much good at repelling invaders if you invite them in up a useful staircase!

The font is 12th C, and has unusual cable moulding around it and a Norman zig-zag at the top.

The large West Window, which is by Clayton and Bell and made in 1862.  It depicts two angels at the top, above panels showing the four Evangelists and also the four Great Prophets of  Testament.

A piece of modern glass, depicting the Holy Dove, was made by James Budd in 1995. It was a memorial to William Norman Elliott who was a member of the teaching profession for 42 years, 20 of those at lady Hawkins' School.

This is in the Vaughan Chapel and shows the Adoration of the Magi by Geoffrey Webb (1947).

This is the 2nd window in the Vaughan Chapel and shows St Luke and St Francis and is by CR Webb (1964).

Apologies for a duff photo - I took my old camera and it plays up now and again.  I can't work out which one this is either.  A shame as the colours are gorgeous.

Another Clayton and Bell window from 1862.  This is considered to be their finest work in the church.  Its original position in the church was in the old chancel but it was moved to this position by R W Drew.  It shows people and events from the Acts of the Apostles.  

On the left, in descending order:  Dorcas, The Raising of Dorcas, Cornelius, St Peter and Cornelius, St Stephen, The Stoning of Stephen.

In descending order on the right are:  Lydia, Eutychus, St Barnabas, Lystra, St Paul and Saul on the road to Damascus.

This is the window on the eastern side of the North Porch, showing the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, by Whitefriars (1962).  The figures are Anna, Simeon with the Infant Christ, and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In the North Aisle there is a Whitefriars (1962) depiction of the Nativity with the Shepherds.

There was a rather nice carved stone pulpit.

This was one of half a dozen beautifully stitched pieces on display in the church.

I'm sorry I couldn't get this clearer, but it was to the side of the altar and short of sitting on top of said altar I couldn't get a good angle! This is the Vaughan family history.

The church was having a Messy Church day, full of toddlers, glitter and glue - they were having a wonderful time and their happy voices brought the church alive.  One of the chaps helping told me about another little church I would enjoy at nearby Huntingon, so after a wander around the town, that is where I went next . . .

Have a good weekend folks - sunshine here when I began this post, but now it is clouding over a bit.  I will garden and get a walk in.

It was good to get out and about again, and