Windows and Scripture
The stained glass windows in All Saints are a reminder of some key stories from scripture. On this page are some of those stories.
For full details of all the windows and the memorials associated with them please see Window Memorials
The scripture stories are worded below as told in copies of our parish magazine from the early 1900s, soon after many of the windows were installed. You will find a plan showing the window locations lower down the page. It will help you locate the windows when you visit.
The East Window
[Window 8 on plan]
'The subject represented in this window is the Dream of Jesse, in which he is imagined as foreseeing in one of his posterity the promised Messiah. The usual mode of treatment is to represent Jesse asleep, with his more prominent descendants on branches of a vine issuing from beside him, and with the Blessed Virgin and her Divine Infant at the top. This design is called the Tree of Jesse, and for many hundreds of years, and all over Europe, has been a very favourite subject for painted glass, sculpture, etc. The east windows of Selby Abbey Church and of Carlisle Cathedral are well known ancient examples, and, being of very great size, they include a very great number of figures and kindred subjects. Still the general idea is the same in all, and in our new east window at Winterton, Mr Tower, the successor of Mr Kemp, has carried it out in that beautiful design and colouring for which Mr Kemp was so long celebrated. In the lower part of the central compartment Jesse appears as asleep, and with the text "Jesse begat David the King." Over him is David with his ten-stringed harp and a book open with the words from Psalm 89, verse 27, "He shall call me, Thou art my Father." Over David is Solomon in all his glory, with a book lettered inside, "The Book of Wisdom." Over him, Rehoboam as King. On the north side, at the foot, Isaiah looking upward, with text, "There shall come a rod out of the stem of Jesse." Over him, Uzziah, as King. Over him, Asa, with one of the fortified cities he built, and the words "City of Refuge." Over him Jehoshaphat with a sword, and over him Hezekiah with the sun-dial. On the south side, at the foot, Jeremiah with the words "I will raise to David a righteous Branch." Then Zerubbabel with the second Temple. Over him, Joram as King, then Joatham, and lastly Josiah with the roll of the Law that Hilkiah found during the repairs of the temple. The top of the window is occupied by the figure of the Blessed Virgin with the Infant Jesus, to whom the whole design leads up.'
Mr Tower was Walter Tower who took over as chairman of the famous London based firm of C.E. Kempe and Co. Ltd when Mr Kemp [Charles Eamer Kempe] died in 1907. He was the younger cousin of Mr Kempe. There is much information about this company and its work at http://www.churchmousewebsite.co.uk/Kempe_mainpage.htm
Chancel: North Wall
[Window 6 on plan]
'The new side window in the chancel is another beautiful work by Mr Tower, and, as the inscription says, it is dedicated in memory of two former parishioners. The lower subject is that of the three Maries met by the Angels at the empty tomb, with the text "He is not here, He is risen." Above this we see represented Christ's charge to St. Peter, "Feed my sheep," and at the top, two Angels with Alleluias.
In both the [above] windows is inserted in one unobtrusive manner the device or cognizance of Mr Tower, namely a sheaf, which was used by Mr Kemp, surmounted by a Tower, alluding to his own name.'
Chancel: South Wall
[Window 10 on plan]
'In the next window, which is a single lancet light, are three compartments representing Our Lord instructing His Church.
- In His Own Person, teaching the people from the ship, which is drawn up by the shore on which the hearers are sitting in attitudes of attention. The figure of Our Lord is striking and dignified, as he holds up His right hand, pointing to higher things. St. Matt. XIII, 1, 2.
- The Parable of the Sower, the incident selected being that of the fowls of the air devouring the seed that fell on the beaten path. St. Matt. XIII, 3-8.
- Our Lord continuing to teach [see Acts I, 1] by His Disciples on the Day of Pentecost, as He has done ever since by His Church. The particular subject is that of St. Peter preaching the first Christian Sermon. As in the other window, he holds a book, and his right hand is raised as in animated discourse. The light from heaven is indicated above, and the cloven tongues of fire rest on the heads of the Apostles. Acts II.'
Chancel: South Wall
[Window 11 on plan]
'The next window was presented by the late Mrs Sadler many years ago in memory of her husband. The three compartments represent three incidents taken from the Parable of the Good Samaritan, which speak for themselves. The arms below the transom are those of the Sadler family.'
North Transept
[Window 5 on plan]
The subject of this window represents the devotion of Mary of Bethany to Jesus as shown in offering of the best she had, the complaint of some of the waste of the ointment, and Jesus' defence of her, "she hath done what she could." St. Mark XIV.
The two scenes show Jesus as "being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, and as He sat at meat." St. Mark XIV, 3.
Mary anointed the Head of Jesus. St. Mark XIV, 3.
She wipeth His feet with her hair. St. John XII, 3.
North Transept
[Window 4 on plan]
'In the glass of this window are represented the three Maries, who remained faithful to Jesus to the end. "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene." St. John XIX, 25.
The three figures are:
S. Mary, the Virgin
Mary, the wife of Cleophas
S. Mary Magdalene'
