John Hayward, Dick Whittington memorial window (1969), Church of St Michael Paternoster Royal, London.

Photo: Peter Hildebrand

John Hayward, detail of Dick Whittington memorial window (1969), Church of St Michael Paternoster Royal, London.

Photo: Peter Hildebrand

Church of St Michael Paternoster Royal, London EC4

Address

Church of St Michael Paternoster Royal, College Hill, London EC4R 2RL

Recommended by

Alexandra Epps (10)

Highlight

Dick Whittington memorial window, west end of the south wall

Artist, maker and date

John Hayward, 1969

Reason for highlighting

A wonderful piece of storytelling depicting the folk tale of Dick Whittington. In his tatty coat, red and white spotted knapsack on his back and faithful cat by his side, we see him travelling from the green of the countryside to discover if the streets of London are indeed paved with gold – shown as a beautiful ‘tapestry’ of golden church spires. The real story is a rather different one as Richard Whittington was a wealthy merchant and prominent politician of medieval times. He worshipped in and was finally buried in this church, which is just around the corner from where his home originally stood.

Other comments

John Hayward’s dynamic east windows, 1968, depict the War in Heaven with the triumph of good over evil glowing with colour come rain or shine. Note how the design wraps round to include the first window on both the north and south side in expressions of softer coloured abstraction.

Artist/maker notes

John David 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

Highlighted dates at this location

1968, 1969 (Go to date search)

All artists mentioned at this location

Hayward, John