Stained Glass of Percy Bacon
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Posted 03 September 2022.
St Keyne's lies, somewhat retiringly in a quiet leafy suburb on the northern edge of Truro. It is predominantly 13th century with 15th century tower; restored in 1820/22. That restoration seems to have been as badly executed as the rebuilding of Kenwyn's sister church at Kea. A correspondent to the Royal Cornwall Gazette compared the poor workmanship and materials used at Kea with those at Kenwyn, both having been built (or rebuilt) using principles of "bad taste and false economy"1, so that, in Kenwyn's case, it lasted only 40 years, and therefore required a further restoration in 1862 by J P St Aubyn.
Prior to the Reformation, Kenwyn was a chapelry within the large parish of Kea (Old Kea).
The church consists of nave, south Aisle, north and south transepts, a vestry which also houses the organ and a west tower.
There is an excellent article by Michael Swift on the Cornish Stained Glass website explores the history of the church and in particular the stained glass in detail.
There are two Percy Bacon windows in St Keyne. Both are single lancets.
Posted 03 September 2022.
Window depicting BVM and Child. "His mercy is upon them who fear him".
The window is dedicated to the memory of John Rundle Cornish, Bishop of St Germans and Vicar of Kenwyn Parish, and of Constance Eliza, his wife.
A new opening in the wall had to be made south of the altar to accommodate the window2.
This is a relatively late Percy Bacon window, but illustrates how little the percy Bacon style had changed in the 40 years since he set up his studio. Michael Swift in his article on Kenwyn on the Cornish Stained Glass website comments:
The window is a memorial to the Rev. Charles Burgess and donated by his son, daughter-in-law and a few friends. The likeness of the Reverend seems to have been preserved in the figure of St Luke.
Although no direct evidence has yet come to light that this is a Percy Bacon work, aside from the stylistic attributes, there is a drawing in the Kresen Kernow archive (Ref. All Hallows, Kea, D/R/9/19) , 5 which is confirmed to be from the Bacon Studios. Run slide show on image above right to compare Kenwyn and Kea drawings.
References and further reading: Use your browser's Back button to return to text.
- Royal Cornwall Gazette - Friday 16 May 1862. p4
- West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser - Thursday 23 December 1920. p4.
- Excellent article on Kenwyn Church stained glass by Michael Swift at Cornish Stained Glass Windows.
- Report of window's insertion: Western Morning News - Monday 21 September 1931. p3.
- Document Ref D/R/9/19. Kresen Kernow (Archives and Cornish Studies Service).
Location Map:
Sat Nav Post Code: TR1 3UY