New Laigh Kirk, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire
Address
New Laigh Kirk, John Dickie Street, Kilmarnock , KA1 1BLRecommended by
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Scheme of five acid etched windows on the altar sideArtist, maker and date
Designed by J. T. & C.E. Stewart and made by William Meikle and Sons, 1904Reason for highlighting
This scheme of what appears to be stained glass is actually acid etched flashed glass. John Tytler Stewart, along with John Stark Melville and Stewart’s son Charles Edward Stewart, had developed this style of creating detail on the glass using hydrofluoric acid, thus eliminating glass paint, and named it the “Cameo Process”. This full scheme of glass has been made in this way. They are rare and I would put these windows of high historical, and artistic value. Fantastic examples of Arts and Crafts design.
Artist/maker notes
William Meikle and Sons was one of the leading Glasgow firms of stained glass makers. The The business was founded in 1838 by William Meikle Senior (c. 1818–1900) as wholesale glass merchants and glaziers, and only started making in stained glass in 1886. Both William Meikle’s sons apprenticed in the Stephen Adam Studio, before joining the firm, which became one of the main competitors to Guthries. Also important was the arrival in the 1895 of John Tytler Stewart (1858-1930) as principal designer. Subsequent studio designers included John Stark Melville, Charles Edward Stuart and Andrew Rigby Gray.
John Tytler Stewart (1858-1930) initially apprenticed and worked as a decorator, during which time he attended night classes at Glasgow School of Art. After a period in London, where he was on visiting terms with Edward Burne-Jones, William Morris and Walter Crane, and failed attempts to establish his own studio, he joined William Meikle & Sons in 1895, becoming their principal designer. His time with the firm was notable for his work on developing the technique of acid etching with John Stark Melville and his son, Charles Edward Stewart. In 1907 he and his son left to form their own studio, J. T. & C. E. Stewart. Their studio finally closed on Charles’ retirement in 1960.
Sources:
Scotland’s Stained Glass Making the Colours Sing by Michael Donnelly (Historic Scotland, 1977)
200 Scottish Stained Glass Artists by Rona H Moody in The Journal of Stained Glass Scotland Issue Vol XXX (2006)
Other comments
Also look out for a fine 2002 window by Susan Bradbury entitled ‘New Beginnings’
While in the town it is well-worth calling to arrange a visit to the Old High Kirk in Church Street, which is now owned by the Kilmarnock and District Independent Funeral Service. It has a complete scheme of some 20 windows installed over a number of years by W. & J. J. Kier.