St
John's Church, Ainsdale
St
John's Church, Ainsdale
Stained Glass Windows - War Memorial
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The
artist, Miss D Marion Grant, has chosen to present Christ Triumphant in the
symbolic form of the Lamb Triumphant, which is shown enthroned in glory enclosed
within the walls of the Holy City. The four Evangelists appear at the corners
of the Throne as the Four Beasts (Revelation
4:6,7). The Hand of God is seen pouring Divine Blessing from the clouds
above. The green Cross, symbol of earthly sacrifice, is carried by the Lamb
and passes from the Hand of God to the Tree of Life at the base of the centre
light. The Tree of Life stands in the Waters of Life, through which all who
shall have Eternal Life must pass.
The Vesica (Halo) which surrounds the Throne extends to the side light and round its edge the seven spirits of God are shown going out from the Throne to the World. At the foot of the Vesica is the Alpha and Omega. The badge of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force are shown in the left-hand light and the cross of St. George & the Civil Defence device appear in the right hand light. The sun, moon and stars are shown in various aspects of the Heavenly City sweeping through space behind the central unit. Emphasising this part of the composition are the candlesticks which are the seven churches and the seven stars which are the angels of the seven churches (Revelation 1:20).
In the traceries are four figures. From left to right these are Michael, the Patron Saint of the RAF, portrayed as a Heavenly Warrior with armour of feathers, he carries a shield but no sceptre because he is not part of the judgement here. He holds a list of the names of those from Ainsdale who were killed while serving in the RAF in World War II.
St Nicholas is next, the Patron Saint of Sailors. He is depicted as a Bishop and his Crozier is in the form of a rope with the names of those who died in the Royal and Merchant Navies. Next is St George, the Patron Saint of Soldiers, in full armour and a scroll of those who died in the Army. St Oswald has been chosen to represent Civil Defence. He was a Northern Saint, and early English King who was a champion of Christianity and defeated a pagan King of Mercia. The raven his emblem.
The window was paid for by public subscription and was unveiled and dedicated on Friday 3rd 1944 by the Lord Bishop of Liverpool
| RAF | ||
|---|---|---|
| R.F.N. Allison | T.R Meggit | L.N. Thompson |
| S.G Coyne | I.H. Pass | I.F. Webster |
| D.A. Halsall | M. Rhodes | Doreen Wilson |
| G.N. Higham | I.F. Roberts | C.G. White |
| T. Knowles | R. Spelling | D.J.B. White |
| G.G. Litter | D.C. Store | |
| L.G. Macodant | H Sweet | |
| Royal Navy and Merchant Navy | ||
| I.A Buckley | P.R.F. Milthorp | K.W. Sharrach |
| P.L. Clayton | G.S. Roberts | G.C. Simmons |
| C.M. Jackson | I.H.M. Rose | F. Tilston |
| Army | ||
| O. Fremantle | R.A. McLaughton | M. Wilkinson |
| A.L. Irwin | F. Nelson | I.H. White |
| I. King | R. Norris | I.P. Zacharias |
| M. Kipling | T.C. Scarisbrick | |
| H. Lloyd | W.L. Serl | |
| Civil Defence | ||
| C.G. Stewart | ||
Page Last Updated: April 8, 2005
