Stained Glass of Percy Bacon & Brothers

It is likely that St Mary's contained a significant amount of medieval glass until the puritans under the leadership of William Dowsing finished the job of smashing whatever they considered "idolatrous" or "superstitious pictures", a process which seems to have already been started by the local population before his arrival on 6th January 1643. In his journal, Dowsing, wrote ofHaverhill, that "200 [superstitious pictures] had been broke down before I came". He was described in the Rev C. H. Evelyn White's 1885 edition of Dowsing's Journal as, "an uncompromising zealot of iconoclasm".¹

South Aisle 1: Ss John Ev. Paul, Peter, and James the Great.

South Aisle 1: St John the Evangelist.

South Aisle 1: St Paul.

South Aisle 1: St Peter.

South Aisle 1: St James the Greater.

SA1: St John Evan. St Paul, St Peter, St James the Greater. 1900.

Posted 04 September 2023. Updated 03 July 2024.

The windows in the south aisle of St Mary's are all identical, and the similarities of style, subject matter, and execution of the stained glass in the two eastmost windows suggests that Percy Bacon and Brothers executed SA1 and SA2 at about the same time, and that it was part of a unified theme; i.e. Disciples and Apostles of Jesus. The figures stand on pedestals, each in their own elaborate niche, dressed in ecclesiastical vestments, and carrying their symbols, and represent:

St John the Evangelist, with chalice containing the poisoning demon.
St Paul, who holds a sword.
St Peter with the keys to Heaven.
St James the Greater, with pilgrims staff, hat, and shell symbol.

Each light is dedicated to an incumbent of St Mary's:

St John: In Memoriam, Robert Roberts M.A. Vicar 1815-1871.
St Paul: In Memoriam, Frances Merewether, Vicar 1808-1815.
St Peter: In Memoriam, Benjamin Lathum, Vicar 1668-1682.
St James: James Manders Walker, Vicar 1896-1900 d.d.

In each of the canopies of the two centre lights is the figure of an angel holding a scroll bearing the word ‘“Holy,” while in the tracery above the whole are four cherubs holding shields, on which are the fetters A, LH.B., X.P.C. and O. respectively. Other cherubs appear in contiguous portions of the window.

In 2011 the window was removed and restored, as a result of the deteriorating lead which struggled to keep the glass in place.²

The window is signed bottom right of the left light: PERY BACON NEWMAN S^T. L^DN..

Back to top

South Aisle 1: Ss John Ev. Paul, Peter, and James the Great.

South Aisle 2: St James the Less.

South Aisle 2: St Bartholomew.

South Aisle 2: St Simon.

South Aisle 2: St Jude.

SA2: St James the Less. St Bartholomew, St Simon, St Jude. 1900.

Posted 04 September 2023. Updated 03 July 2024.

In a unified theme reflecting the design of the adjacent window, figures of disciples stand on pedestals, each in their own elaborate niche, dressed in ecclesiastical vestments, and carrying their symbols. They represent:

St James the less, holding a fuller's club.
St Bartholomew, a fuller's knife.
St Simon, with scroll.
St Jude, a fishing boat.

The window is dedicated to James Manders Walker (Vicar of St Mary's between 1896 and 1900) and his widow, Anne Elizabeth.

In each of the canopies of the two centre lights is the figure of an angel holding a scroll bearing the words ‘“Alpha” and "Omega". while in the tracery above the whole are four angels holding shields emblazoned with the letters "JESU".

The window is signed; PERCY BACON LONDON.

Back to top

North Aisle East: Christ Blessing Little Children.

North Aisle East, left light: Christ Blessing Little Children.

North Aisle East, centre light: Christ Blessing Little Children.

North Aisle East, right light: Christ Blessing Little Children.

NAE: Christ Blessing Little Children. 1900.

Posted 04 September 2023. Updated 03 July 2024.

The report in the Suffolk and Essex Free Press of 11th April 1900, make mention only of the central light, dedicated on Sunday 8th April. The differences in the colouration of the canopies suggests that the outer lights were not installed until some time later. In the centre light only, the dedication reads: "To the Glory of God, from the children here newborn, Easter 1900".

The window, of three lights with tracery, represents Christ Blessing Children, a subject utilising similar designs which Percy Bacon covered at Mickleham, Surrey, St Wenn, Cornwall, and Repton, Derbyshire amongst others.

The window is signed; Percy Bacon, London.

Back to top

1. The Journal of William Dowsing, Parliamentary Visitor, for demolishing the superstitious pictures and ornaments of churches etc., within the county of Suffolk, in the years 1643-1644.

2. Haverhill Weekly News, 2nd June 2011, p3.
3. Haverhill Echo - Saturday 27 January 1900, p3.
4. Suffolk and Essex Free Press of 11th April 1900, p8.
   
   

1. For further history and archtecture of St Mary's visit the churche's website at https://stmaryshaverhill.org.uk/634/Haverhill-Architecture.