Our Hidden Gem
For those of you who have not yet set foot inside Pitton Chapel – we have a hidden gem – a modern stained-glass window. Facing south, at the rear of the chapel building, the window cannot be seen from the road or any public footpath, and has to be appreciated from the inside. Given its position, the window sheds beautiful refracted sunlight into the chapel on bright days.
Designed by local artist Mary Hayman, the window was installed during the renovation of the chapel before its reopening in 2012.
The new window was designed to fit within the original window frame of the chapel which dates back to 1887. Mary’s aim was “to combine elements of local surroundings with Christian symbolism”. Inspiration was drawn from the theme of Creation – particularly sunlight and the sea. Meanwhile, a service at the Chapel had provided further inspiration; Mary recalls that “the heartfelt singing of the hymn When I survey the Wondrous Cross, and the sight of an embroidered and radiant gold cross encouraged me to explore the idea of a cross as a sign of optimism and a symbol of resurrection and new growth”.
Mary visioned a window glowing in the centre and casting warm light onto the surrounding alcove. Her design concept settled on a central Celtic Cross with yellow and gold splaying out at the edges. This colour scheme incorporates the sunflower, and the detail has ears of wheat and small patches of red wine – symbolising the elements of the Holy Communion. The greens and yellows on the stem of the Cross are taken from the lichens which grow within the cervices of the walls around the Chapel.
The stained-glass window was produced with the help of the Architectural Glass Department of Swansea Metropolitan University. Production and assembly involved an intricate process of cutting glass pieces – some clear and some blue; sandblasting the glass with the images and traces of a sunflower, ears of wheat and the other symbols; then painting and firing silver stain and red enamel on in stages to form the golden yellow and crimson colours; using blue and green enamels to suggest the sea on the blue glass pieces. Lead was used to join all the pieces together and to complete the circle. We are indebted to Mary, and to all those who gave their time and support for the vision, the production, the funding and the installation of our very own modern stained-glass window here in Pitton.
Colin Everett
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