Alfred Fisher and Chapel Studio, south Chapel south window (1974), Roman Catholic Church of St Mary, Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Photo: Alfred Fisher

Roman Catholic Church of Saint Mary, Halifax, West Yorkshire

Address

Roman Catholic Church of Saint Mary, Gibbet Street, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 5DH

Recommended by

Bob Holloway AMGP ACR (10)

Highlight

South Chapel, south window

Artist, maker and date

Alfred Fisher and Chapel Studio, 1974

Reason for highlighting

Windows by Chapel Studio in the North of the country are rare, as are works for the Catholic Church. This striking window uses the familiar theme of the Baptism of Christ but here the figures are merged into a scene encompassing both lights of the window rather than two individual figures. The intense background colour continues in a diminished form throughout the figures themselves, further unifying the design.

Other comments

An added bonus here are some fine windows by Sep Waugh.

Artist/maker notes

Alfred Fisher MBE FMGP FRSA (b. 1933) trained at Liverpool Arts College before joining James Powell & Sons (Whitefriars) Ltd, where he developed his own distinctive style. In 1973 he co-founded Chapel Studios and worked there until retiring, mixing new work with important conservation projects. Now retired, his legacy of work can be found across the country, including Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Chequers and the Guildhall.

Source: Alfred Fisher website

Chapel Studio was established in 1973 by Alfred Fisher MBE FMGP FRSA and Peter Archer FMGP, who both had extensive knowledge of traditional craftsmanship acquired at James Powell & Sons. In 1975 Robert Holloway AMGP ACR joined the Studio, a second generation stained glass craftsman also from James Powell & Sons, bringing to the Studio his expertise on the practical side, which contributed to the establishment of the Studio in the early years, alongside the painting and design skills of Alfred Fisher and Peter Archer.

The studio continued under Robert Holloway following the retirement of Alfred Fisher and Peter Archer in 1999. Peter Campling ACR, of M. C. Lead Glaziers Ltd, bought Chapel Studio in 2016 and adopted the Chapel Studio name overall. Bob Holloway retired in 2020, and Peter Campling continues to run the company.

Source: Chapel Studio website

Highlighted dates at this location

1974 (Go to date search)