Jane Gray (b.1931)

St John’s Church, Pool Quay, Design for Stained Glass Roundel (2005)

Signed and studio stamp verso.

St John's Church was built in 1861 under the patronage of the third Earl of Powys to provide for the religious needs of the largely industrial population of Pool Quay. The church was originally designed in the Early English style but was extensively restored first in 1956 and again in 2003/4. Despite this, it still retains its unique charm, built in the instantly recognisable red Sweeney Mountain sandstone, and features stained glass windows by Winfield of Birmingham (1891) and Camm of Smethwick (1899). This design by Gray features eight lights containing attributes of St John and other Christian symbols.

Jane Gray (b.1931)

Christ Church, Charnock Richard, Lancashire Design for Stained Glass Window (1989)

Signed, dated and studio stamp verso.

Christ Church was built in 1860 at the heart of the 13th century country village of Charnock Richard. Alongside its stained glass windows, the church boasts historic tile work and an exceptional  marble memorial to the original benefactor’s wife, Frances Darlington. This window was installed in 1990.

Jane Gray (b.1931)

Mount Vernon Hospital, Design for Stained Glass Window (1982)

Dated and artist label verso.

Mount Vernon Hospital is located in Northwood, in north-west Greater London and was founded as The North London Hospital for Consumption and Diseases of the Chest in a mansion on Hampstead High Street in 1860. A purpose-built but beautiful hospital at Mount Vernon was built in 1881 in the French Renaissance style but in 1901, it was decided to build a more-modern facility on part of the Northwood Park Estate which was opened in 1904.

Jane Gray (b.1931)

St Andrew’s Church, Walton-on-Thames, Design for Stained Glass Window (1993)

Signed, dated and studio stamp verso.

St Andrew’s Church was built in 1931 but its story began some years earlier in 1928 when a group of Scots and those with Scottish roots, started meeting in the Walton Playhouse to worship under a retired Presbyterian Minister. Over time, funds were raised to build a proper church, the foundation stone laid in 1931, bearing the Presbyterian Church’s Latin motto,  ‘Nec Tamen Consumebatur’ (and yet it was not consumed) from the Old Testament story of Moses and the Burning Bush. In 1972, alongside most Presbyterian Churches of England, St Andrew’s united with The Congregational Church of England and Wales to form, ‘The United Reformed Church’. This window features a red cross with St Andrew’s cross, along with the Alpha and Omega, and was installed in 1994.

Jane Gray (b.1931)

Shrewsbury Abbey, Design for Stained Glass Window Dedicated to St Winefride (1990)

Signed, dated and studio stamp verso.

The red sandstone Abbey that resides over Shrewsbury is a welcoming landmark to visitors entering the town and dates back to the Norman era. Despite many renovations and alterations over the years, the medieval and Victorian elements marry remarkably naturally in this grand yet dignified place of worship. Shrewsbury abbey is home to several notable tombs and monuments as well as the remnants of a medieval shrine to St Winefride who was once venerated there. The central light at the top depicts the Trinity, where the Holy Spirit is represented by a dove, God by a vortex (left) and Christ by a lamb (right). The trinity remain linked throughout the design by a blue ribbon decorated with crosses and water droplets. St Winefride’s spiritual strength is represented by the large, central red cross, and her initial rests at its foot. In the left light, beneath the vortex, is corn, and to the right, grapes, both symbols uniting to form a timeless reference to the Eucharist. Below is the ship, a symbol of thee Ecumenical church, and on the right are seven doves representing the seven gifts of the holy spirit: wisdom, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Two small roundels with Alpha and Omega (‘I am the beginning and the end’ as God notes in the Book of Revelations) unify the upper and lower windows in the design. The central lower light depicts St Winefride, set against a starry backdrop, holding the Martyr’s Palm and Cross beneath her martyr’s crown. The water that is said to have spewed forth from her decapitated head is symbolically illustrated in the fountain at her feet that flows into the adjacent lights. Further symbols to Saint Winefride adorn both the left and right lights. The crossed keys and inverted cross (left light) represent Saint Peter, and the sword, book, and anchor rounded cross represent Saint Paul, the saints to whom Shrewsbury Abbey is dedicated. The window was installed in 1992.

Jane Gray (b.1931)

Northgate, Design for Stained Glass Window

Gray left little information about this design but it is possibly for a shopping centre or similar building. Nevertheless, this design perfectly captures Gray’s colourful and quintessentially modern style and approach to stained glass window design. Here, Gray uses a few key colours, strong lines, and geometrical elements to construct her multi-panelled, lettered design.

Jane Gray (b.1931)

Christ Church, Charnock Richard, Lancashire, Design for Stained Glass Window (1988)

Christ Church was built in 1860 at the heart of the 13th century country village of Charnock Richard. Alongside its stained glass windows, the church boasts historic tile work and an exceptional  marble memorial to the original benefactor’s wife, Frances Darlington.

Jane Gray (b.1931)

St Peter's Church, Martindale, Design for Stained Glass Window (1980)