Alfred Fisher and Chapel Studio, 'Eye-window' 1976, Roman Catholic Church of St Albert, Stockbridge Village, Merseyside.

Photo: Peter Hildebrand

Alfred Fisher and Chapel Studio, 'Eye-window' 1976, Roman Catholic Church of St Albert, Stockbridge Village, Merseyside.

Photo: Peter Hildebrand

Roman Catholic Church of St Albert, Stockbridge Village, Merseyside (Lancashire)

Address

Roman Catholic Church of St Albert, 31 Hollow Croft, Stockbridge Village, Merseyside L28 4EA

Recommended by

Bob Holloway AMGP ACR (10)

Highlight

Two ‘Eye-shaped’ windows

Artist, maker and date

Alfred Fisher and Chapel Studios, 1976

Reason for highlighting

A striking example of the incorporation of conventional leaded stained glass into a modern building. The Church, to designs by John Black of Huddersfield, is built of white industrial brick and has a fan-shaped plan under a broad pitched-roof. The two ‘eye-shaped’ windows, in conventional leaded stained glass, are devoted to the Virgin Mary and to Christ.

Other comments

The conventional stained glass windows are complimented by two dalle de verre windows. (Windows made from concrete and glass). They are on either side of the altar and represent the sacraments.

Both were designed and drawn by Alfred Fisher and made for Chapel Studios by Joe Quinlan. Quinlan was working for Powells when, after the war, Pierre Fourmaintraux brought the dalle de verre technique to Britain, and Powells in particular, and he was chosen to lead the team that worked in the new technique. Quinlan left Powells when the stained glass department closed in 1973 and subsequently worked independently.

Artist/maker notes

Alfred Fisher MBE FMGP FRSA (b. 1933) trained at Liverpool Arts College before joining James Powell & Sons (Whitefriars) Ltd, where he developed his own distinctive style. In 1973 he co-founded Chapel Studios and worked there until retiring, mixing new work with important conservation projects. Now retired, his legacy of work can be found across the country, including Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Chequers and the Guildhall.

Source: Alfred Fisher website

Chapel Studio was established in 1973 by Alfred Fisher MBE FMGP FRSA and Peter Archer FMGP, who both had extensive knowledge of traditional craftsmanship acquired at James Powell & Sons. In 1975 Robert Holloway AMGP ACR joined the Studio, a second generation stained glass craftsman also from James Powell & Sons, bringing to the Studio his expertise on the practical side, which contributed to the establishment of the Studio in the early years, alongside the painting and design skills of Alfred Fisher and Peter Archer.

The studio continued under Robert Holloway following the retirement of Alfred Fisher and Peter Archer in 1999. Peter Campling ACR, of M. C. Lead Glaziers Ltd, bought Chapel Studio in 2016 and adopted the Chapel Studio name overall. Bob Holloway retired in 2020, and Peter Campling continues to run the company.

Source: Chapel Studio website

Highlighted artists at this location

Chapel Studio (4)

Fisher, Alfred (7)

Highlighted dates at this location

1976 (Go to date search)