In 1978, the people of St. Mark’s embarked on a campaign to install stained glass windows. Christopher Wallis, then of London, Ontario, one of the world’s foremost artists of stained glass, was engaged to design and execute the windows. To retain as much light as possible, all the windows are transparent; no parts are opaque. This information was compiled from a tape recording in 1980 by Canon John Munro, Rector, who advised the artist while the windows were being designed. On the north side, starting at the back:
Nativity of Christ
This lovely window shows Mary and Joseph looking in rapture at the new born Jesus. The Star of Bethlehem is shining above them and from it the radiance embraces the mother, child and stepfather. The colours used tell a story – red to show the ultimate sacrifice of our Lord; gold to show His kingship; the pastels and dark colours make us wonder at the mystery of Christ’s birth.
Given in loving memory of Garnet Wolsley Webster, May 28, 1928 – October 5, 1951
Given by Mr. & Mrs. Maxwell John Webster
Baptism of Christ
Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan by John the Baptist who felt he was not worthy to baptize Jesus. However, he did so as Jesus wanted John to baptize Him. The dove at the top left is descending to indicate the Holy Spirit. Jesus is in white, to show His purity. After the baptism, Jesus started His ministry by preaching in Capernium.
Given in Thanksgiving for all who have brought joy to our worship through their service in the Choir by Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Thornley
Suffer Little Children to Come Unto Me
Jesus emphasizes children so often in His ministry. The quiet faith of a child can really give us a true idea of what it is to belong to Jesus. A child has trust, follows instructions, and can show great love. So often He uses a child as a symbol of an unspoiled person who hasn’t been affected by the world. Jesus is shown with a girl and a boy before a door-like frame- indicating the beginning of our life with Christ.
Given in memory of loved ones by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Boyd
The Calming of the Storm
Jesus’ calming of the storm on the sea reveals his power over evil, since the sea represents evil and chaos. The boat where he is standing on the sea is a symbol of the church and invites us to trust God amid life’s turbulence.
Given in loving memory of Leonard Foxall & loved ones
Given by Barbara Foxall & Family 2001
Ascension of Our Lord
This very powerful window shows Christ ascending. His rich garment is adorned with 12 jewels indicating the 12 tribes of Israel or the 12 apostles. By ascending to His Father in heaven, Christ was no longer a geographical pinpoint on Earth, so people could not revere the fragments of His body as in so many other religions. We realize it is up to us to carry on His ministry – Christ is in us and we are in Him. We are the instruments of His grace and mission to the world.
Given in loving memory of Stuart Leslie Jarvis by his family & friends
Lamb of God
At the top, we see the hand of God blessing us all. The lamb is standing with one foot around the banner of victory, suggesting the victorious nature of Christ’s sacrifice. Behind the Lamb is the Star of David, reminding us of our heritage from Judaism. The star is two interwoven equilateral triangles which form a six pointed star, traditionally the shape of David’s shield. Sometimes called the Creator’s Star, the six points recall the 6 days of creation. At the bottom, the Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, reminding us that Christ is the beginning and the end of all things.
In loving memory of our parents. Given by Ruth & Gordon Sims, Rene & Max Adler
Scouting and Guiding
This is a very unique window as the boys and girls of the Scouting and Guiding movement asked if they could present a window. Even though it was the most expensive one, due to the many pieces of glass and the research needed to portray the symbols, the young people raised the needed funds in three months’ time. Around the well-known profiles of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell are 400 small pieces of blue glass, showing that Scouting and Guiding have grown to be world-wide movements. The Scout-Guide promise encircles the globe. To the left is the Union Jack, to the right the Ontario ensign and in the centre is the Canadian flag, with two hands joining below it. Scattered throughout the window are the original symbols and dates to show when different sections of Scouts and Guides originated – both in Canada and in Great Britain.
In Thanksgiving. The 38th Brantford Scouts, Cubs, Venturers & Beavers and the 23rd Brantford Guides and Brownies. Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of Scouting in Canada (1978 )
Saint Mark
The most outstanding feature of the nave is the St. Mark window. In the shape of an elongated triangle with an inverted triangle beneath it, it rises to the ceiling and extends to nearly the floor. The larger-than-life figure of St. Mark, in the centre, holds a cross in his right hand and a representation of our church building in the crook of his left arm. At the very top of the window are very dark reds, blues and mauves. If we look closely, we see the eye of God which gives a sense of creation and the words of Genesis come to mind “in the beginning…darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”Below is the dove descending with radiance from his beak – from this radiance is a small darker line, indicating the movement of the Holy Spirit on life, that comes down behind St. Mark to nearly embrace him, then it becomes a pathway, then water. The water is very significant for St. Mark as though very young, he was most eager to go with St. Paul and St. Barnabas on their first mission around the Adriatic. The water is important, too, for the water of Baptism, as until the church was enlarged in 1999, the font was immediately in front of this window. At his feet is an etching of the original church building, and opposite is the coat of arms for the Diocese of Huron – the crossed swords of St. Paul (our cathedral church in London), the crown to signify victory and sovereignty, a beaver, such a familiar Canadian symbol, all in a banner which is crowned by a bishop’s mitre, to represent the cloven tongues of fire which lighted on the heads of the apostles at Pentecost.The lower part of the window has a round bell showing St. Mark in Rome to record the gospel of St. Peter. To their left are the crossed swords of St. Paul who told us to “put on the armour of God” and who died by the sword. To their right, St. Barnabas is symbolized by three stones as he was stoned to death. Above, St. Peter’s symbol of the crossed keys recall his confession and our Lord’s gift to him of the “keys of the kingdom”. Beneath the bell is St. Mark’s winged creature with a lion’s face – the body in gold and the wings in red, as St. Mark’s gospel begins with “…the voice of one crying in the wilderness” and this suggests the roar of the lion.