Church of St Mary the Virgin, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
Address
Church of St Mary the Virgin, 177 Knox Rd, Wellingborough NN8 1PXRecommended by
Highlight
East window of the Lady Chapel (also known as the Jesus Chapel) at the end of the north aisleArtist, maker and date
Ninian Comper, 1935Reason for highlighting
The five light window comes in the long tradition of Tree of Jesse windows. A vine of blue acanthus trails over the whole window sprouting violet grapes [Eucharistic symbolism], lilies and roses [symbols of the Virgin Mary] and many flowers. A central figure of Jesus in Majesty dominates the upper three middle lights, the Dove of the Holy Spirit above him. Christ is clothed in sapphire over purple and shows the five wounds of his Passion. This is the Resurrection figure of eternal youth, seated on an emerald rainbow and set within an oval vesica. In the tracery lights the Annunciation scene with Gabriel and Mary; below Christ the Virgin and Child. The window is packed not only with extensive symbolism but also with inscriptions from Old and New Testament figures prophesying or exalting the name of Jesus.
Other windows to highlight in the church are an outstanding Marian-themed window at the east end, regrettably partially hidden by the baldacchino over the high altar; and in a screened-off south chapel a unique set of three five-light windows showing men who kept alive the tradition of Anglo-Catholicism from the Reformation to the 20th century.
Artist/maker notes
Sir Ninian Comper (1864-1960) was one of the last of the great Gothic Revival architects, his work concentrating on churches and their contents. He is well-known for his stained glass, his use of colour, and his subtle integration of Classical and Gothic styles. He was born in Aberdeen and spent 6 months as an assistant to C.E. Kempe, before being articled to Bodley & Garner, 1882-87, and then building his independent career. He was knighted in 1950.
Source: Sir Ninian Comper: An Introduction to His Life and Work by Anthony Symondson and Stephen Bucknall, (Spire Books, 2006)
Other comments
Comper was one of a number artists who combined architecture and stained glass, nowhere more significantly than here at St Mary’s, designed by him (including a complete set of fittings from font to screen to superb over-arching majestas) and said to be his favourite church as well as his masterpiece.
A synthesis of study, thought and belief that is reflected too in a complete suite of stained-glass windows, so reflective of his personal style. Clearly drawn figures, extensive use of a rich royal blue and silver stain, along with plenty of white glass all with a detailed knowledge and use of iconography. This is also an intensely personal window as it is a memorial to his wife, Grace, who died in 1933 whose ashes are buried in this chapel. Comper himself hoped to be buried here but fittingly his ashes are alongside the burial places of the great architects of his era in Westminster Abbey, beneath the windows he designed.