Church of St Mary le Bow, London EC2
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Church of St Mary le Bow, Cheapside, London EC2V 6AURecommended by
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St Mary window, northern most of three east end windowsArtist, maker and date
John Hayward, 1963Reason for highlighting
Part of one of the most powerful stained glass schemes in the City of London, these semi-abstract windows are an exciting fusion of old and new.
Christ in Majesty in the centre is flanked on one side by St Mary, to whom the church is dedicated and on the other by St Paul, the patron saint of the City of London. Mary cradles her church with an expression of tender care while resting her feet on the arches ‘the bows’ of this ancient church. The wall that once encircled the medieval city can be seen clearly in the background alongside a delightful ‘tapestry’ of the other churches of the square mile. Each church is carried protectively by their own patron saint with the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral clearly identifiable behind the figure of St Paul.
Artist/maker notes
John Hayward (1929-2007) was not only one of the foremost stained glass artists of the post-war period but also a designer of church furniture and interiors. After St Martin’s School of Art he turned down a place the Royal College of Art to join Faithcraft, designing church furniture and arranging whole interiors where glass was one important element, before establishing his own studio.
Source: John Hayward’s obituary in The Church Times 7 August 2007
Other comments
The west windows, of 1964, blaze with light and colour containing references to the governance of the City of London and heraldry of the Great Twelve Livery Companies.