Stained Glass Window 1914-18 St. Peter

North wall of St.Peter’s Church (Closed)

Now in Hartlepool Museum and Art Gallery displayed as a prime example of the artist’s work.

1914-18

Unveiled September 1922 by Col. Blackett, M.B.E.,
dedicated by Rural Dean, Rev. R. Watson.

Philip Bennison

If thou
hadst not gone

before
and taught us

who would
dare to follow.

This window commemorates
those of this parish who
made the supreme sacrifice
in the Great War 1914-1918

Stained glass window “of beautiful design”.

There are two lights.

The left hand light has, at top, a roundel containing a shield with the red and yellow vertical striped colours of Northumbria.
Below this is a soldier looking upwards to an angel in red who is pointing towards the other window.
Behind the soldier is a scene of stumps of trees and devastation.

The right hand light has a roundel with a red cross at centre.
The risen Christ, wearing a crown of thorns, is holding his hand towards the soldier.
Below him is the empty tomb with the shadow of the three crosses of crucifixion faintly seen.

The dedication is carried at the bottom in white lettering on a black background.

1. At the unveiling ceremony, there was a deficit of £10 on the cost of memorial and stained glass window. £14 was contributed in the offertory.

2. The church has now re-opened under the title of “The Old Church” featuring café, theatre and art gallery.

Photos: Dorothy Hall

Chester le Street Chronicle
23/12/1921 reports proposals for plaque and SGW;
01/09/1922 reports proposed unveiling with description;
15/09/1922 reports unveiling.

Durham Chronicle
15/09/1922 reports unveiling.

Durham County Advertiser
15/09/1923

Durham County Advertiser
15/09/1922 reports unveiling.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
16/09/1922 reports unveiling.

Shields Daily News
14/09/1922

Stanley News
14/09/1922 reports unveiling.

The Advertiser
05/11/2011 reports change of use of church.

St. Peter’s Magazine
August 1922 reports that the windows are already in position, but that the necessary funds have not yet been raised, about £35 being outstanding.

The Story Durham (formerly Durham County Record Office)
Ref: EP/Sa 4/18 Faculty for the erection of a stained glass window and oak panels as memorial to the dead of First World War, 26 September 1921

Source of quotation
“If thou hadst not gone before . . .” Imitation of Christ Book III On Inward Consolation Ch. XVIII; Thomas a Kempis

Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale;
Dorothy Hall;
Bill Heslop (Durham Diocesan Office);
John L. Dixon

If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk