History - Stained Glass Windows

Millennium

On entering the church the first window in the north wall of the nave is the most recent stained glass window in our church. It was installed through special subscription by the congregation to celebrate the second millennium of Christianity.

Moira Parker (Rainbow Glass, Prestwick) in designing this window used the theme “I am the light of the world” to evoke positive feelings of hope, energy and belief, following Jesus in his pathway through life, guiding us to make the correct choices and forgiveness if we falter.

At the foot of the window the blue represents water and baptism – the first step on the Christian way of life. Within this panel can be seen five fish which is historical reference to St Nicholas as the patron saint of sailors and fishermen.

This then leads onto a pathway using yellow tones, as they are the colour of light. Set into this pathway are three sets of gold circles referring to the story that focuses on St Nicholas’s kindness, telling how he gave three gold coins to an impoverished man on three separate occasions. The man used the money to marry his three daughters, thus saving their virtue.

As the path rises up the window the curves give way to a more straight line, signifying that our judgement may falter in our earlier years but as we move through life our choices should become more clear and confident.

The violet and purple colours on either side of the path represent penance, this signifies Jesus’ forgiveness, the colours contrasting visually to highlight the balance between right and wrong.

The composition of the window creates the millennium feeling of moving forward, to look to the future and be uplifted.

The sun at the top of the window represents light and to signify Jesus’ presence as a guiding force in life.

The sun rays which radiate down show that faith is all around us and the light beams are particularly effective.

The dove with the twig in its beak and the rainbow at the very top of this window gives a clear and uplifting symbol of hope, and a positive future.

While the colours were chosen specifically for their religious meaning they do blend very well with the surrounding windows and the red sandstone walls.

The window dedicated on the 14th April 2002 by the Rev. George R Fiddes.