Lister Hospital Chapel Windows

Three 1.5m windows in the Chapel, 2013

The finished windows in the Chapel at Lister Hospital, Stevenage, photo by Alan from traplight.co.ukI was initially approached by the Rev. Jane Hatton (Team leader C. of E. Lister Hospital) in July 2012 with the possibility of making three stained glass windows (150cm x 35cm each) for the new Chapel at the Lister Hospital.

I was given the freedom to design and the tight budget suggested that I make them by using the fused glass technique and exclude any painting. This would be a more economical method.

I wanted a design that was inclusive of other faiths so that all would feel welcomed into the Chapel. I wished to get as much light and colour into the Chapel as possible and the idea of a sunrise, symbolising hope and renewal, incorporating "God is Love" discretely at the top of the windows was approved.

Originally the windows were needed by October 2012, but fundraising and refurbishment considerably extended this date and although they were complete by March 2013 they were not fixed until June 2013.

The windows were made with glass supplied by English Antique Glass (EAG), the last British company to manufacture hand blown glass. They were divided into three sections and fused in my large kiln. Although I was tempted to include some painted work into the design this was not part of the brief.

Dean barnet installing the windows in the Chapel at Lister Hospital, StevenageThe finished windows in the Chapel at Lister Hospital, StevenageAngled view of the windows in the Chapel at Lister HospitalTessa showing the Bishop the finished Chapel windows at Lister Hospital, photo by Arun KatariaDean Barnet fixed the windows on June 1st and the Chapel was dedicated by the Bishop of St. Albans on 19th June.

 Lister Hospital, StevenageThe Chapel provides a refuge for anyone seeking calm and quiet within the busy Lister Hospital.

This poem by a patient was inspired by the window; he used to read it dramatically with a booming Irish accent!