Bulwell St John

Glass

St Mary St Gabriel Christ St Michael St John

There are five stained glass east windows, which were the gift of Mrs Cantrell in memory of her husband, the Rev W. H. Cantrell, who conceived the idea of this church. The windows were made by James Powell & Sons (Whitefriars) Ltd of London and were dedicated on Advent Sunday, 1892. The Derby Mercury, reporting on the dedication service, provides a detailed description of the stained glass:

‘The five memorial windows are placed in the chancel of the church, and are splendid specimens of the modern ecclesiastical decorative art. The subjects of the windows have been chosen by Mrs. Cantrell. The principal figure is that of the resurrection of the glorified and risen Saviour as described by S. John. On the right is the figure of St. Michael, and on the left S. Gabriel. Beyond S. Michael is the figure of S. John, and opposite S. Mary the Virgin. Suitable scriptural texts are inscribed on each window. The portions of the windows above and below the figures are in grisaille work, a beautiful pattern of vine leaves and grapes appearing in the centre window above the altar; and in those of S. John and S. Mary, these emblems and the conjunction of these figures recall the Sacrifice and group of the Cross. The whole is completed by scrolls placed in the trefoil tops of the windows. Those over the centre are inscribed with the words, “l am Alpha and Omega.” Those over the other four windows bear the song of the Redeemed ones, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”’

On an alabaster tablet, placed in the chancel above the foundation stone, is the inscription:

IN THE REVERENCE OF GOD
THE WINDOWS IN THIS CHANCEL ARE DEDICATED
 TO THE BELOVED AND HONOURED MEMORY OF
WILLIAM HENRY CANTRELL, M.A
RECTOR OF THIS PARISH FROM THE 13TH OF AUGST 1865
TO 7TH OF SEP 1890. WHEN HE ENTERED INTO REST
AGED 82 YEARS. HE WAS PERMITTED TO SEE THE
FULFILMENT OF HIS WISH THE COMPLETION
OF THIS CHURCH ON ST JAMES’ DAY, 1890.
THESE MEMORIALS ARE PLACED HERE
BY MARY HIS WIFE ADVENT A.D. 1892.