Stained Glass of Percy Bacon & Brothers

Tower west. Faith and Hope. 1908

Tower west window: Faith and Hope. 1908.

Posted 13 March 2023

Viewed from the hills to the west, St Mary's seems to dominate the village of Belford. Its pedigree is 12th century, but all that remains is the splendid chancel arch with its dog-tooth carvings. The church was largely rebuilt by Newcastle architect John Dobson between 1826 and 1829.¹

The single two-light window by Percy Bacon & Brothers is low down in the west wall of the tower through which one enters the church. The window is simple, depicting the virtues Faith and Hope. Above Faith; "Through Faith unto salvation". Above Hope; "The Hope of the righteous". Faith holds an open book with the words, "Repentance towards God, and Faith toward Our Lord Jesus Christ".

A brass plaque on the wall below the window dedicates the window to the memory of Helen T. Robertson, and was given by the parishioners.

The window is signed rather clumsily, as if an afterthought; "Percy Bacon & Bros, 11 Newman Street, London W".

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1. Link to plans at Lambeth Palace Library.
2. The church guide (viewed March 2023) attributes two other windows in the porch depicting St Cecilia and Charity to Bacon. In fact these were made by Baguley & Son of Newcastle.