Lawrence Lee, 'Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah', chancel east window (1960), Church of St David, Betws, Ammanford, Dyfed.

Photo: Peter Hildebrand

Lawrence Lee, detail of 'Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah', chancel east window (1960), Church of St David, Betws, Ammanford, Dyfed.

Photo: Peter Hildebrand

Church of St David, Betws, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire

Address

Church of St David, Betws Road, Betws, Ammanford SA18 2HE

Recommended by

Martin Crampin (10)

Highlight

'Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah', chancel east window

Artist, maker and date

Lawrence Lee, 1960

Reason for highlighting

Lawrence Lee’s best window in Wales is a powerful interpretation of the famous Welsh hymn ‘Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah’, with Christ the Redeemer extending his ‘powerful hand’ to the pilgrim, who labours through the ‘barren land below’.

Other comments

Laurence Lee’s window stands at the head of a distinguished set of windows in this small church, including two by John Petts,1973 and 1980 one by Celtic Studios, 1961, and a later addition by Janet Hardy, c.2000.

Further information:
Stained Glass in Wales – Church of St David, Betws

Artist/maker notes

Lawrence Stanley Lee FMGP (1909 – 2011) trained at Kingston Art School and the Royal College of Art before the war. After the war he worked for Martin Travers, and it was Travers’ unexpected death in 1948, which led to Lee forming his own studio. A wide range of commissions followed, including his famous windows at Coventry Cathedral, with Keith New and Geoffrey Clarke, which established his reputation. Lee was also a teacher both formally at the Royal College of Art, and in his studio to a succession of assistants. He was notable in acknowledging the contribution of his assistants by including their initials on windows, along with his own.

Sources:
The Lawrence Lee Project
Lawrence Lee on Wikipedia