The North Window

The North Window

by B. van Cleve

The North Window of St. Peter’s Church Brighton is situated on the actual north side of the church (the liturgical east side). It is the biggest window in St. Peter’s. Looking at it can be quite overwhelming. But when viewed in sections, it becomes much easier to unlock the obvious and the hidden messages.

The Angelic Realm

The top section of this window is dominated by a host of angels. These are depicted with different items like banners or shields with coats of arms or symbols. They seem to watch over all that is happening below.

The second row of angels are holding banners containing the opening verses of the ‘Te Deum’ in Latin. The text is heavily abbreviated due to space restraints.

The original would have read as:

Te Deum laudamus – te Dominum confitemur. – Te aeternum Patrem –  omnis terra veneratur. –  Tibi omnes Angeli; –  tibi caeli et universae Potestates; –  Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim – incessabili voce proclamant: –  Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, –  Dominus Deus Sabaoth.

We praise you, God – we honour you Lord. – You, the eternal Father, – all the earth worships – All the angels, – the heavens and the powers of the universe, – Cherubim and Seraphim – cry out to you with unceasing voice: – Holy, Holy, Holy, – Lord God of Hosts.

Below these another ten angels are depicted carrying shields with symbols of the passion. We see from left to right the seamless garment, Judas’ purse, the three dices, the sponge on a stick crossed with the spear, the ladder, the two crossed scourges, the three nails, crossed hammer and tongs, the Christogram ‘IHC’, and the cross.

At the flanks of the angels, surrounded by artistic embellishments, are two sections with four angels each holding shields, nine of them with coats of arms and one with the year of the dedication of this window, mcmvi (1906). On top of each of these two groups of four angels is the logo that is often used in Kempe stained glass windows – a single sheaf of wheat.

The Heavenly Realm

In the centre below the host of angels we see Jesus enthroned in glory, with ministering angels all around him. His halo shows ‘Fleurs de Lys’. His garments are richly decorated with precious stones and rays of light are going out from him.

To his right we see Mary with richly decorated garments and a banner, floating behind her shoulders, with the words: ‘Maria virgo’, ‘the Virgin Mary’. To his left Peter is depicted with the symbolic keys, richly decorated garments, and a banner floating behind his shoulders with his name.

Below the scene depicting Jesus with ministering angels, Mary and Peter, we see two NT figures to the left, the archangel Gabriel in the middle and another four NT figures to the right.

The Earthly Realm

On either side of the middle section of the window we find a group of nine historic figures: Martyrs, Monks, Priests, Bishops and Kings. Martyrs can be recognised by the palm leaves they are holding, bishops by mitre and staff, and kings by their crowns. These figures are arranged in three rows and three columns each.

One could see these as a cloud of witnesses for the Gospel. They are a testimony to God’s care for us humans throughout the centuries, how He has kept the knowledge about salvation alive, even in the face of hostility and persecution. The most ancient of these figures represents Stephen, the first martyr. The most recent of these figures represents Queen Victoria.

This stained glass window was manufactured by the ‘Kempe Studio for Stained Glass and Church Furniture’ in 1906 and is dedicated to the life and reign of Queen Victoria.

All images © 2024 B van Cleve.