Susan Bradbury, from the Stained Design Glass Partnership, Ayrshire, will be giving a free presentation on the fascinating ancient craft of Stained Glass this Thursday, 14th September at All Saints Church, Challoch as part of Scottish Archaeology Month.
The talk will cover the origins of the craft up to the present day and include reference to Challoch’s own ten windows – the work of two eminent stained glass artists, Charles Eamer Kempe and Charles Alexander Gibbs.
The triple east window is by Kempe (1837-1907) whose maker’s mark was the wheatsheaf. His studios produced over 4,000 windows and also designs for altars and altar frontals, furniture and furnishings, lychgates and memorials. Examples of his work can be seen at 58 sites in Scotland, including St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh, Girvan Old Parish Church and All Saints Challoch – as well as Chester, Gloucester, Hereford, Lichfield, Winchester and York cathedrals in England.
Charles Alexander Gibbs (1825-72) was one of three sons of Isaac Alexander Gibbs who became stained glass designers. The family firm was established in about 1848 but split when Charles Gibbs set up his own works at 148 Marylebone Road, London in 1858. His most elaborate surviving works can be seen in the east window at St. Mary’s Church, Bideford and All Saints, Margaret Street.
Priest-in-charge at All Saints Dawn Matthew said: “Visitors to All Saints Church are often struck by the beauty of its stained glass windows. Now they will have a chance to hear about the history and making of these wonderful artefacts from an acknowledged expert in her field.”
The use of stained glass in churches stems from medieval times when the large majority of the population were illiterate. They were a way of telling bible stories and depicting saints, in vivid colours.
Susan Bradbury’s talk will take place at 2.00 for 2.30pm on Thursday, 14th September with refreshments afterwards.
Tickets can be booked online via Eventbrite here: https://the-ancient-art-of-stained-glass.eventbrite.co.uk or by emailing: [email protected]
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