THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS OF ST. MARY MAGDALENE
The content of this page is based on a booklet produced for the church in the 1980's/90's, from original research by Dr. Chris Brooks and Dr. Jo Cox, and edited by Janet A. Homewood.
The plan indicates the position of the various windows, and below you will find some information on each of these.
Stained glass windows have been used in churches since the fourth century. To begin with it often replaced earlier wall paintings whose purpose was to explain bible stories to a largely illiterate congregation.
The medieval church of St. Mary Magdalene was adapted in Georgian times to suit changing Anglican services, and this resulted in the 15th C. traceried windows being altered, however by this date any medieval stained glass had long since disappeared.
By the 1850's Anglicanism was going through further national changes, and at this time the building underwent major restoration. This coincided with a major revival in the art of making stained glass windows.
The development of the railways by this time made it easy for craftsmen and designers to work across the country. But early on local firms were also established in Devon.
Victorian stained glass windows are usually memorials commemorating members of prosperous local families. These were very expensive, especially so at South Molton where so many of the windows were particularly large. They are thus monuments to the aspirations and close family connections of people well known in the town at the time. As such they are important documents of local history.
The medieval church of St. Mary Magdalene was adapted in Georgian times to suit changing Anglican services, and this resulted in the 15th C. traceried windows being altered, however by this date any medieval stained glass had long since disappeared.
By the 1850's Anglicanism was going through further national changes, and at this time the building underwent major restoration. This coincided with a major revival in the art of making stained glass windows.
The development of the railways by this time made it easy for craftsmen and designers to work across the country. But early on local firms were also established in Devon.
Victorian stained glass windows are usually memorials commemorating members of prosperous local families. These were very expensive, especially so at South Molton where so many of the windows were particularly large. They are thus monuments to the aspirations and close family connections of people well known in the town at the time. As such they are important documents of local history.
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WINDOW 1
The large outer openings have angels carrying scrolls with texts from the Nativity Story. DEDICATION: This window was erected by the Incumbent, and the two churchwardens, and paid for by public subscription. The Rev. T.H. Maitland was Vicar of South Molton from 1833 to 1876. R.M. Riccard was a local solicitor, and town clerk from 1861 to 1879. Robert Elworthy was a farmer at Kingsland Barton, just to the west of the town. WINDOW 2
Balthazar is shown in the left outer light, and Jospeh in the right. In the head tracery lights are two demi-angels playing musical instruments, whilst the centre one carries the Eucharistic chalice and paten. DEDICATION: To Mary Pearse, wife of John Gilband Pearse of Broomhouse, died 1862, and her children. J.G.Pearse was the son of James Pearse, several times Mayor of South Molton, whose memorial is in the north transept. Both were lawyers in the firm of Pearse, Son, and Crosse, the families being related by marriage. John Pearse was town clerk, and Clerk to the Justices in the mid 19thC. WINDOW 3
The window depicts four resurrection scenes - 1.) The Raising of Lazarus 2.) Jairus' daughter 3.) The son of the widow of Nain 4.) St. Peter restoring Dorcas to life. The three large tracery openings have full length figures of Faith, Hope, and Charity. DEDICATION: To William and Grace Smyth, erected by their children. A brass plaque below also commemorates William Gould Smyth died 1880, and his wife Elizabeth Ann dies 1867. W.G. Smyth, son of William and Grace Smyth, owned one of the two major tanneries in Victorian South Molton, located in East Street. He was Mayor of South Molton in 1848, 1853, 1865, and 1873. WINDOW 4
The central light represents Christ in Majesty. Either side are St. Jude and St. Simon ( they are often paired because they were thought to be brothers, and suffered martyrdom together.) St. Jude holds a carpenter's square, and St. Simon's hand rests on a saw. ( The Cock family, to whom the window was dedicated, were successful builders.) The head tracery has demi-figures of St. peter holding the keys, and St. Paul holding a sword. At the top is the dove of the Holy Spirit. DEDICATION: Various members of the Cock family whose prosperity was based on building and contracting. John Cock Snr. (1795-1881) was a carpenter who eventually took over the Hacche saw mills. His son John Cock Jnr. (1831-1894) inherited Woodville in South Street, and the building firm. Like his father he was a councillor and alderman, and became Mayor in 1866, playing a major part in improving the parish churchyard. Towards the end of his life he practised as a surveyor, accomplishing the rise from tradesman to professional status. A keen antiquarian, he wrote the standard 19thC. work on South Molton, "Records of the Borough of South Molton", published in 1893. WINDOW 5
2.) Simeon, who also recognised Christ, is shown holding the child. 3.) The Virgin Mary 4.) An attendant holding a basket of doves to be offered in redemption of the first born. In the tracery are shown David with a harp, and other figures that are thought to be Zacharias and Simeon. DEDICATION: To Thomas and Mary Brown and their ten children, whose names appear on a mural plaque. Thomas Brown Jnr. (d.1868) was a surgeon living in Broad Street. He was Mayor in 1849 and 1855. Elder brother John (d.1865) was also a councillor. According to Hardman company records the brass, and possibly the window, was paid for by John White, a draper in Broad Street who was married to one of the Brown daughters. He was Mayor nine times, including 1881 when the window was erected. WINDOW 6
The main scene is of Jairus' daughter flanked by St. Paul and St. Luke. The angels in the head tracery hold the symbols of St. Paul ( crossed swords), and St. Luke ( an ox ), and the window is appropriately dedicated to a surgeon. The whole window is characteristic of Drake, with a palette of purple, grey, and pink, played off against the white glass, and a graining texture to the faces. DEDICATION: To Edwin Furse, surgeon (d.1892). He practised as a doctor from 112 East Street. He was a town councillor and alderman in the 1870's and 1880's, as well as being a borough magistrate. He served as a District Medical Officer, and Assistant Surgeon to the 28th Devonshire Rifle Volunteer Corps. WINDOW 7
St. John, the favourite disciple, leans his head against Christ's shoulder, while Judas sneaks away in the background. In the tracery are pairs of seraphim, those in the head holding the chalice and paten to signify the eucharist initiated at the Last Supper. DEDICATION: The plaque commemorates William Venn (1761-1845) and his two sisters, Sarah Venn (1763-1834), and Anne Sharland Venn (1766-1845). Venn was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. The name is recorded as Mayor of South Molton in 1793, 1804, 1811, 1819, 1823, 1831, and 1841. It seems unlikely these all refer to the same man, though it is possible. Who commissioned the window is not known, or why it was erected so long after the deaths of those to whom it is dedicated. WINDOW 8
1.) St. Peter's denial of Christ. 2.) and 3.) The angel greeting the three Mary's at the empty tomb. 4.) The agony in the garden. Below kneeling angels carry scrolls with assorted bible texts. In the main tracery openings angels hold shields with the symbols of the Passion. DEDICATION: To James Mardon (b.1808) and his wife Mary (b.1805), both of South Molton, and erected by their son Heber Mardon of Clifton, Avon, also born in South Molton. Mary Mardon was the daughter of John Morris, the son of John Morris whose daughter Anne married George Cock, and was the mother of John Cock Snr. ( see Window 4.) Therefore Heber Mardon and John Cock Jnr. would have been second cousins. WINDOW 9
As well as ecclesiastical work they produced a wide range of domestic glass which could be ordered from catalogues distributed to High Street businesses across the country. Church stained glass by this studio is rare in Devon, however we have four of their windows. The window depicts the theological figures of Faith, Hope, and Charity. The head tracery lights have Alpha and Omega in wreaths. It differs from other windows in the church, which are mainly based on biblical stories, and designed more conventionally. DEDICATION: The only dedication is on the marble plaque on the left hand jamb, which commemorates the parents of Ann Bryan, and states that the window is a thank offering for her restored sight. Several members of the Bryan family were Mayors of South Molton in the 18th.C and early 19thC. In the quarter century prior to the First World War, Richard Stanwell Bryan of Bishops Nympton was a borough magistrate. WINDOW 10
However several details throughout the window have faded, a not infrequent defect in this company's technique at the time. The main lights contain single figures of the four evangelists, each holding a scroll with the opening words of his gospel in Latin, and his symbol below. Apart from Matthew, each holds a quill pen. In the central tracery opening is the IHS monogram. Victorians often chose this subject matter for a west window, as can be seen at Tiverton and at Bideford. DEDICATION: The gift of William Hobbs F.S.A., to the church of his native town. At the time Thomas Henry Maitland was Incumbent, and John Pearse and John Buckingham the churchwardens. John Pearse was the man who erected Window 2. John Buckingham was a farmer at Clatworthy. |
WINDOW 11
The theme is relevant as the window is dedicated to the wife of a physician who worked among the sick. Christ the Good Shepherd is in the centre light, flanked by St. John and St. Luke, the patron saint of doctors. Angels in the head tracery hold the scrolls which read 'heal the sick' and 'love one another'. DEDICATION: To Mary Louise Sanders (d.1901), erected by her husband James Herbert Sanders. J.H. Sanders was Housem Physician to the London Hospital. His wife was the daughter of R.J.Crosse the solicitor. the inscription says she was "for many years an active and beloved worker among the sick of this parish." WINDOW 12
Above the transom the main scene is the Transfiguration witnessed by St. Peter, St. John, and St. James. The head tracery shows Christ in Glory. DEDICATION: To John Rockey ( no date given). John Rockey of 30 Broad Street was a draper, first appearing in trade directories in 1914. WINDOW 13
Saints Peter and Paul flank this central scene. In the head tracery kneeling angels adore the Agnus Dei. DEDICATION: To Charlotte Elizabeth Merson (d.1911), erected by her husband Frank Merson and their four children. Frank Merson was a dental surgeon, living and practising from 36 East Street. Like John Quick, who paid for the adjacent window, but unlike all the others associated with the windows, he was neither involved in local administration, nor a member of one of the older professions. This reflects changing social status in the Edwardian period. WINDOW 14
The window is based on episodes from the Book of Ruth. The main central scene shows Ruth remaining with Naomi while the other daughter-in-law returns to her relatives. In the lights to either side are single figures of Boaz and Naomi. Above the transom Ruth is shown in the cornfield, kneeling to Boaz. Three angels in the head tracery hold scrolls. The Book opf Ruth, with its emphasis on family piety, was a favourite with the Victorians, as the story taught the importance of 'honest industry and humble patience, in poverty and hardship.' DEDICATION: To Sarah Quick (1795-1859) and Charlotte Quick (1839-1900). The mural brass below also includes John Quick (1820-1915), who erected the window. John Quick of East Street appears in the 1878-9 South Molton Trade Directory as a hairdresser and perfumer, and is listed in 1889 as a fancy goods dealer. If this is the John Quick who commissioned the glass, then it represents the only appearance of the great Victorian shop-keeping class among the South Molton windows. WINDOW 15
The third and fourth portray " Suffer little children". The four lights above the transom show the archangel appearing to the shepherds at the Nativity, while from the tracery lights angels look down at the scene. The relationship between the three scenes is unconventional, however they all have a domestic family theme:- the birth of Christ; Christ's welcome to children; and Christ's blessing of marriage. DEDICATION: To Elinor Kingdon (1832-1898), wife of John Abraham Kingdon. A brass mural plaque below also includes Kingdon himself, his parents and siblings who died in infancy. J.A. Kingdon was a solicitor and accountant who lived at 104 East Street, where he also had his office. He was a churchwarden, town councillor, and served as Mayor and a borough magistrate. WINDOW 16
.The allegorical figures of Fortitude, Justice, Temperance, and Prudence in the head tracery are shown holding their symbols. The combination of figures in this window are unusual, depicting the relationship between divine and human law, with an assertion of a divine chain of command that includes civil power. John Galliford, a magistrate to whom the window is dedicated, is represented by the Roman Centurion. The theme is appropriate also to South Molton Town Council who sit in pews immediately below the window. DEDICATION: To John Galliford (1813-1897), erected by his widow. A brass mural plaque also gives dates of his wife Maria, and their three children. Galliford was an accountant who lived at 18 East Street. He was clerk to the area Commissioners of Taxes and Municipal Charity Commissioners. Over the last 30 years of the 19thC. he was a town councillor, and was Mayor in 1877, 1878, 1879, and 1887. In the 1880's and 90's he was also borough magistrate. WINDOW 17
WINDOW 18
This is largely obscured by the organ. At the end of the 19thC. it apparently contained stained glass by John Hardman in memory of the Rev. Charles Melhuish, Rector of High Bray, and Master of the South Molton Latin School. Some glass survives in the head tracery, but it is unknown when the rest of the window was removed, or where to. WINDOW 19
1.) Christ restoring sight to two blind men at Jericho. 2.) Christ healing the paralysed man at the pool op Bethesda. 3.) Christ cleansing the ten lepers. 4.) Christ raising Lazarus. The lower tier shows four of the seven traditional Corporal Works of Mercy. 1.) Feeding the hungry 2.) Giving drink to the thirsty. 3. ) Clothing the naked. 4.) Visiting the sick. DEDICATION: To Michael Thorne (1766-1849), Sarah his wife (1764-1842), their five sons , and son-in-law J.W.Thorne (d.1859). A brass mural plaque below adds the Rev. Joseph Thorne, Vicar of Bishops Nympton 1835 to 1871. William Thorne was a town councillor. James William Thorne was a physician in Broad Street. |
