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part of the Anglican communion |
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A Church of England in the diocese of Manchester. |
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St Nicholas Church with St John and St Michael
Founded 1511—listed 2* |
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Stained Glass Designers / Makers / Artists
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James Powell and Sons—London.
Powell and Sons (Whitefriars) Ltd |
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Another important window is that containing St Nicholas and St Bega – dedicated to Richard and Jane Ashworth in 1934. If you look for it you will find a little monk hiding in the St Bega window – this is the signature of the firm James Powell & Sons of Whitefriars, London founded in 1834, following the purchase of an earlier 1720 manufacturer. Powell was related to Baden Powell of the Scout Movement. Sadly the studio closed in 1973 and the factory in 1980.
Two famous users of Powell glass were William Morris who is also known for his windows but more so perhaps, for his fabric prints and wallpapers, and Edward Burne-Jones who designed windows for Christ Church Cathedral at Oxford as well as Blackburn Cathedral and many others.
James Powell died in 1840 and he was succeeded by his son Arthur Powell. In 1919 the name of the firm changed to Powell and Sons (Whitefriars) Ltd. I don’t know yet who the designer / painter of the window was but is was probably one of the following who worked for Powell: Professor Harry Wooldridge, Harry Burrow and Charles Hardgrave – all eminent artist designers of their time.
‘Whitefriars’ glass objects –paperweights, vases etc are now very collectable and command high prices. The trademark name of ‘Whitefriars,’ was purchased by Caithness Glass of Scotland and lives on.
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Herbert W Bryans 1855-1925 |
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The stained glass window in the Lady Chapel was recently cleaned and protected by new polycarbonate. It consists of 2 lights with female figures portraying the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, with the inscription ; “ECCE ANCILLA DOMINI FIAT MIHI SECUNDUM VERBUM TUUM”. (St. Luke 1. 38 - Here I am the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.) . It was dedicated on April 19th.1914, in memory of Mary Ann & John C. Cunliffe and Elizabeth & James Whitworth.
A Church magazine from 1914 recorded the painting of the window as being done by a Mr Herbert W Bryans of London. Herbert Bryans was a notable painter and manufacturer of Stained Glass as well as a designer of memorials which included altars and reredos. Examples of his work are found all over the country.
He was a former student of world renowned Charles Eamer Kempe [1838-1907] whose windows grace many of the cathedrals and churches of Great Britain. It was a great delight to find that we have a window by one of his pupils who is also quite famous. His mark / signature, described as a ‘Greyhound,’ or ‘Running Dog’ can be found in the bottom right of the window. |
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More to come on Percy Charles Bacon but little information appears to exist—help! |
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The Percy Bacon Brothers of 11 Newman Street, London are the twins Percy Charles Bacon and Charles Percy Bacon born 1879 at Farringdon Berkshire to Walter James and Alice Bacon who in 1881 had an Engineering and Ironmonger business in the High Street, Poole St. James, area Dorset, England. Walter James, Alice and Charles Percy Bacon are listed in the 1901 Census with Charles Percy being an Ironmonger's assistant at 44 High St, Poole St. James, Dorset. Percy Charles is listed as a Warehouseman Hosiery living at 5 Brackley St, St Giles, London. The Percy Bacon Co., was in existence from the late 1800's until 1936. |
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Percy Bacon—London |
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Mayer & Co. of Munich and London have been working in glass since 1848 and stained glass from about 1870. They have produced stained glass for many churches and cathedrals in Europe, particularly in Ireland where the glass is to be found in at least nine of Irelands Cathedral churches. One of the most notable commissions was for St Peter’s Basilica in Rome and of course St Nicholas Church which has 5 double light windows by the company.
The dates of each window are: 1884; 1885; 1890; 1894 whilst the fifth window has yet to be dated. From the dates below one can see that the windows were commissioned during a period of international recognition of the company.
In 1865 the first overseas branch was opened in London. In 1882 the company was awarded the status of “Royal Bavarian Art Establishment and Stained Glass Studio, “by King Ludwig 11 Following this, the work of the studio and its commissions increased rapidly. In 1888 a new branch in New York City was opened bringing the company to full international status and in 1892, Pope Leo X111 named the company a “Pontifical Institute of Christian Art“.
Today the company is managed by Gabriel Mayer Ph.D. ( born 1938 ) and by his son Michael C. Mayer ( born 1967, 5th generation ) and is one of the leading studios for mosaic and stained glass in the world. |
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Mayer & Co – Munich & London. |
