It was a pretty grey foggy day today. I had planned to do a circuit of a local reservoir but my companion preferred to stay dry, so a revision of venue took us to Holy Trinity church – Wensley, North Yorkshire. It was pretty dark inside the church and not very warm either.
I don’t always take pictures of stained glass when I visit churches, but I picked out these windows, which I thought were a little unusual (?).
” Ah Galahad, Galahad for such as thou art is the Vision“.
The angel above Galahad carries a banner which reads “One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name.” – I’m afraid, to me, it suggests celebrity rules.
“Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth which was crucified. He is risen. His not here.” Which my research suggests is derived from Mark 16:6 of the King James Bible.
This window commemorates an organist at the church (1906). I wasn’t sure that I was interpreting the window correctly but then I noticed the organ pipes in the background.
Saint Cecilia. I may start a collection of ‘stained glass Saints’.
——Stephen——–
Stephen G Hipperson 
I think a collection of stained glass would be interesting. Possibility for a book?
🙂 – my thing is photography – although I know the things I photograph have a story to investigate/tell, I’m reluctant to start on a path where it sucks me into something or somewhere that saps my time to spend doing photography – if you get my drift.
I understand exactly. I got myself on a path of doing OU courses, not for a degree, just for an interest, and it took over completely. As I have now retired I decided to do more enjoyable things, like photography.
🙂 – I did a few units of OU in the dim distance past – and you’re right about taking over.
I like the organist…he’s working on an illuminated manuscript with plainchant notes…the square kind that sit one on top of the other. Saint Cecelia is the patron saint of music…this church must pride itself in its music. Does it have a great organ? A great choir?
Thanks for the info. I can see ‘collecting’ stain glass is likely to open another tin of worms. 😉
I think the thing to bear in mind is the time frames between what might have been when any glass was put in and today.
It’s a really difficult church to photograph inside because of the extremes in light levels against light walls and dark dark wood.
There is a reasonably large organ, but it doesn’t seem huge in comparison to some I’ve seen (another bag of worms?) and the choir stalls don’t look particularly big.
I’ll probably post a few more pictures but with each there’s a story that needs to be investigated – or indeed, a story to be invented for those with a fertile mind.
When I was a little ‘un I used to sing in a church choir. The choir master used to insist we practice and ‘perform’ psalms to plainsong – it didn’t take prisoners and there was nowhere to hide – but when we got it right – awesome – big church, boy choir – brings tears to your eyes. !
My parents’ Episcopal church always did Latin propers at service…my late husband became their principal cantor. This was in a Spanish mission style church in California….I always longed to hear it in an English setting!
When I first started in the choir (Church of England), services were what I know as ‘high church’ and the choir master was keen to have us ‘certificate’ in the Royal School of Church Music recognition system. Then we had a new vicar come in, who was a lot younger and we went ‘modern’ – the choir master left and his replacement, while perfectly competent, had I singing ‘modern’ music ……pants. 😉
My children worked on certification in the Royal School under one of our organists, too. But he was replaced as well. I think it’s good to learn all kinds of musical styles, actually.
I wouldn’t argue with that.
Within a year of the changes, I started to undergo the change – I now speak with a much deeper voice – I found angling was more fun and ultimately I examined the whole faith thing for myself.
I can’t think of a better way to examine faith than hip deep in a stream. 🙂
🙂
Do you know the maker? Is it Morris & Co?
I have no idea, I’m afraid. Looks as if there’s another thing to look out for on my visits! 😉
Beautiful windows well captured.
….. you’re right, Galahad’s angel does smack a bit of celebrity – perhaps a phrase out of context resulting in a misunderstanding?
Thank you.
Not that I am but the more I think about it the more phrase seems to fit today’s society.
It absolutely does – and pretty sad it is too …..
While all these people are trying to become famous it allows me space to get on with my life. 😉
Very nice shots of the stained glass. They’re not always the easiest to photograph, but I suppose the colors have a lot to do with it.
Regarding the “Galahad” window, first thing that came to mind was the King Arthur story. 🙂
I think the window is Victorian and I believe there was a resurgence of ‘Arthurian’ folklore around that time. From what I can remember Galahad was the Knight who was the most gallant/chaste/good/worthy/kind/loyal etc hence the reference – a case of Victorian religious zeal pulling in the gallantry of Arthur into their message.
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