New Stain Glass Windows

 

After a fire of 1983 that destroyed the church's 20 by 30 foot stained glass window, seven new two by eight-foot windows were commissioned for the rebuilt church. Alison Davie, the 25-year-old daughter of Don Babcock, who created that prior window in 1959, was tasked with this new challenge.

   Symbols and esthetics are the base of the seven windows: the Greek letters alpha and omega, the burning bush, the dove and the Bible. The windows reflect Christ's birth, a church's dedication to the children, the law, the human ability to receive, the Last Supper, Christ's promise to humanity and the tree of life, which Babcock called the "sacred marriage."

   The design is based on the lead lines, the flat blocks of colour combined into simple designs.

   Like the 12th-century artists Alicen respected, miniature glass painting was done with the handblown glass from Germany, France and England primarily used. Alicen did paint some pieces, like the head of the Christ child, later fired at 1250 ºF to melt those images into the glass.

   These windows are unique in how they modify the church's mood, depending on the lighting. Sunny days, cloudy days or at night when the light comes from inside all have different impacts.

 

The windows are dedicated in memory of the following Ernest Morley by his wife and family; Mr. & Mrs. R. Merrick by Mellie & Bert McNeill; Gladys Robertson by May Paulson; William J. Kilfedder & Walter H. Cooper by their families; Mr. & Mrs. George Harron, Mrs. M.L. McEown, Mr. & Mrs. E.N. Harford, Mr. F. Westcott and Mr. Hole, all of whom are remembered from our former church windows; Window 6 was dedicated in loving memory of the Andrew and Reid families; Window 7 was presented by the Sunday School Students and friends of Grace Memorial United Church 1983 – 1984.