Three Gospel Stories

by B. van Cleve

The ‘Three Gospel Stories’ window is situated on the east side of the church. It does not have the deep, rich colours typical for Kempe windows and the halo of Jesus does not show the typical three ‘Fleurs de Lys’, but only simpler line embellishments. Also no Kempe logo could be found. But ‘The Kempe Stained Glass in the UK and Ireland’ states that this window was designed in their studio in 1882.

The ‘Three Gospel Stories’ are the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist, the baptism of Jesus and the calling of Matthew.

The first light shows Zacharias, as the angel appears to him in the temple and announces the birth of John the Baptist. The banner reads:

Fear not Zacharias for thy prayer is heard

The second light shows the baptism of Jesus. The banner anchored in the hand of John the Baptist reads:

Ecce agnus Dei – Behold, the Lamb of God

The third light shows Jesus calling Matthew, who is still sitting in his toll both, doing his accounts. The banner floating between Jesus (with halo) and Matthew (without halo) reads:

Follow me

The dedicational text reads:

To the Glory of God & to the dear memory of Emily Hoadly, who died Jan 8th 1862 at 31 & of Edward Monk Hoadly, who died April 4th 1880 at 19 the wife & only child of Edward Hoadly who dedicated this window 1882.