Windowdesign

The Design

The artist has aimed to retain traditional imagery in the design but to present it in an up-to-date style. The dove of the Holy Spirit at the apex signifies the love of God being paramount in all life. This is flanked by the sun and moon which symbolise the passing of earthly time. Beneath these are the crowns of England, James I and Scotland, James VI superimposed on St. George's cross and the cross of St. Andrew with the commemorative anniversary tablet in the centre.The centre Light carries a subliminal chalice standing on the arms of the Graham family who are historic patrons of this church. Out of the chalice rises the Cross of Christ in lead lines and on this is superimposed the sword and scales of St. Michael to whom this church is dedicated. Christ, the Paschal Lamb, dominates this part of the centre of the design and around are four coins representing the four quarterdays on which the levy to pay for the building of this church was collected from parishes throughout England.
Leading from the base of the centre light into the right hand light the river Esk which flows through the town carries the concept of the Water of Life and Christian baptism.
It is believed that St. Kentigern may have founded a small church here in early times following the battle of Arfderydd in 573 AD, his fish and ring acknowledge that there was faith here from the earliest days of Christianity. This is reinforced by the use of the Chi-Roh as the old symbol of Christ. The jesters' hat is a reference to Archie Armstrong, court jester to King James I & VI and Charles I, who was a local man and credited with having encouraged the King to order that a new church be built in this area, an area which had become so turbulent that faith appeared to have been lost. The flow of the water from the bottom left hand corner of the centre light through the right hand light swings towards the Holy Spirit at the top of the window. This is to symbolise the cleansing water flowing away from the dark lower corner of the left hand light and washing away the sins of those dark times.The left hand light represents the more recent history of the district with the dark days of the border reivers represented by fire and the ‘steel bonnet’. The fire symbol also indicates purification and cleansing for a fresh beginning. Local industry is represented by the weavers' shuttle and bobbins and by the sheaf of corn to signify farming. The wheatsheaf is in parallel with the chalice in the centre light and is a reminder that these are the elements of the Eucharist. Alpha and Omega at the top with the hope and anchor are a reminder that God is the beginning and the end. Even at the time of darkest troubles and most recently at the time of the great murrain of 2001 when fires burned throughout the border, faith brought hope and resurrection, the flickering flame reaches into the top of the window where the Holy Spirit was revealed through the flame of Pentecost.
ALBION GLASS April 2009

Rector of the Parishes
Rev’d Russell Tague
The Rectory
Arthuret Drive
Longtown
CA6 5SG
Tel 01228 791338

THE ESK PARISHES MISSION STATEMENT

With the help of God, these churches will be places where,

Christian people joyfully worship and pray together.

Places of learning, growth and fun.

Communities where everyone is encouraged to use their gifts

and to live out the Christian faith in the whole of their lives.

Taking into the work place, family and wider society

a public witness to the Christian faith and to God's love.

Site last updated Sunday, April 22, 2012

Visitors to this site number: