Ten of the windows of St Mary’s come from the extraordinary collaboration of William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones.
Many were designed by Burne-Jones with lead work, pattern work and colour by Morris.
We will take a tour around the church starting with the window behind the altar and working clockwise.
Further information about the windows are available from the Notes on the William Morris and Burne-Jones Windows, available to borrow and read in the church courtesy of Shirley Bartlett 7/8/12
Also the publication Speldhurst Church – Its Story and its Windows, Guy Hitchings, 2009
The East Window - The Crucifixion
The Crucifixion – 1905 – using Edward Burne-Jones design this window was produced by Morris & Co after their death.
This window apparently incorporates six pieces from a previous window that hung here which was designed by Lavers & Barraud . A back- lit panel of this window hangs in the village hall.
In this image of the crucifixion The Cross had become the Tree of Life.
Mary the mother of Jesus is seen with John the disciple.
Tongues of fire spring from the Angels heads indicating he Holy Spirit.
Heavenly minstrels play in the clouds above in the three small tracery lights.
The First Easter Day
The First Easter Day – 1871 – Clayton & Bell
On the left the Three Marys find the tomb where Christ’s body had been laid is empty . On the right the two angels tell with a scroll, “He is not here, He is risen”.
The half figures above are St Gregory, St Jerome, St Augustine and St Ambrose.
Below are the Old Testament Patriarchs – Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
The River Jordan
The River Jordan – 1875 – Edward Burne-Jones
Naaman the Syrian general suffering from Leprosy appears on the left hand side, washing in the Jordan
(See 2 Kings chapter 5)
On the right, Christ is being baptised in the Jordan by John the Baptist.
The Four Evangelists
The Four Evangelists – 1875 – Edward Burne-Jones
Matthew and Mark
Influenced by a prolonged study of the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo has influenced Burne-Jones who initially designed these for the chapel of Jesus College, Cambridge.
They represent Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, (the writers of the gospels in the New Testament) Beneath these figures are scenes from the life of Christ .
The Four Evangelists
The Four Evangelists – 1875 – Edward Burne-Jones
Luke and John
Influenced by a prolonged study of the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo has influenced Burne-Jones who initially designed these for the chapel of Jesus College, Cambridge.
They represent Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, (the writers of the gospels in the New Testament) Beneath these figures are scenes from the life of Christ .
St Mary and St Elisabeth
St Mary and St Elisabeth –1874 – Edward Burne-Jones
This window represents The Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, after whom the church is dedicated.
Next to her is Elizabeth, her cousin and mother of John the Baptist.
The lower sections show the baptism of Jesus by John and Jesus blessing little children.
This window is placed next to the Font, the place for baptisms.
The Tower Room
Archangels Michael and Gabriel
Archangels Michael and Gabriel – Charles Eamer Kempe 1878
The Window of Praise
The Window of Praise – 1873 - Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris
The top section is known as a mandorla in reference to its unusual almond shape.
This depicts Christ in Glory ( Heaven) wearing a crown and holding an orb he is raising his hand in blessing . Surrounded by angels he is seated on a rainbow with water and foliage at his feet. – Edward Burne-Jones
The Angel windows are lancet style. –
Each individual Angel plays an instrument, with reference to Psalm 150.
These are unusual in that they were designed by William Morris
St Ursula and St Nicolas
St Ursula and St Nicholas – 1873 – Edward Burne-Jones
These two saints were connected with teaching and children and placed in this corner as it was used for the Sunday school. Above these figures is an angel playing an instrument called a lunette psaltry.
Queen Bertha and King Aethelbert
Queen Bertha and King Aethelberht ( Ethelbert)
Designed 1879
Assembled 1898 – Edward Burne-Jones
Top light – John Henry Dearle
Queen Bertha was the first Christian Queen of Kent. With her husband the king they met the missionary Augustine who arrived at Ebbsfleet. Ethelbert converted to Christianity and Canterbury cathedral was established in in 597. This was a decisive point in the conversion of England to Christianity.
St Gregory and Augustine
St Gregory and St Augustine
1873 – Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris
St Gregory was the pope who sent Augustine to England.
His association with music is indicated in the top light by the angel playing an organ
St Augustine was sent as a Christian missionary to England and became the first Archbishop of Canterbury. Notice the difference in style as St Augustine was designed by Morris.
Christ with Mary and Martha
Jesus in the house of Martha and Mary
c 1871 – M & A O’Connor
These were produced in the Gothic revival style popular in the 1840’s ; hence the strong colours particularly red, blue and gold.
This window is located in the Choir vestry – by appointment only or after services, this window is not normally visible to visitors
The Waller Window
The Waller Window – c 1800 – possibly James and Margaret Pearson
A special interest window to historians and stained glass experts, this window was originally in the church that stood on the site from 1800-1870 .
This was not produced in the style of the medieval craftsmen but is painted in enamels on to thin clear glass. It has recently been restored (2020).
The centre panel depicts the scene of Abraham poised to sacrifice his son Isaac. On either side are Sir Walter Waller (Died 1599) and his wife Anna. (The Wallers had been resident in Groombridge Manor house in the from 1360 – 1604 )
This window is located in the Choir Vestry, which you can view by appointment or after services
The Six Saints
The Six Saints – 1876 – Edward Burne-Jones
Two lancet windows designed specifically for Speldhurst Church
On the left – St Alban, St Aidan, St Boniface
On the right – St Helen, St Oswald and St Walburga
This window was dedicated to the church organist Catherine Barker, this space was originally a vestry but became the organ chamber .
The Risen Christ
The Risen Christ – 1871 – Clayton & Bell
In Gothic Revival style with strong colours and somewhat overcrowded scenes.
On the left
Mary Magdalene kneels at the feet of the Risen Jesus
Below that St Peter with the Key and St John at the empty tomb
Right
The road to Emmaus with Christ talking to two disciples who fail to recognize him. Below, Thomas placing his hands in the wounds of Christ with Peter .
There are also half figures across the top : they are the prophets
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel
And below the apostles
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.:
