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The Resurrection Window

This is the first window on the south side as you walk down the right hand aisle.

If you look carefully there is a hill behind the main figures with trees on it. The tomb has stone arches and the angel is standing in front of it holding the text.

The quotation in the centre panel reads “He is not here; he has risen” (Luke 24.6). According to Luke’s Gospel the three ladies in the side panels are Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary, the mother of James. The women brought spices to the tomb in order to anoint the body of Jesus and the woman in the right hand panel is holding the jar of spices.

The window was given by Rev. Edwin Sandys Jackson who was vicar of the parish from 1879 – 1899, in memory of his wife Sarah Francis Jackson who died on 30th November 1882, aged 33years.

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The Ascension Window

This is the second window on the south side of the church.

It shows Jesus leaving his disciples as he ascends into heaven to be welcomed into heaven by the angels.

The artist shows the eleven disciples (Judas had committed suicide after betraying Jesus) standing in a circle looking dismayed as Jesus leaves them. It is based on the description of the Ascension in The Acts of the Apostles chapter1: “And while they looked steadfastly towards heaven as he went up, behold women stood by them in white apparel. Which also said, ‘Ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.’”(Acts 1. 10,11) The quotation in the window is from verse 11.

There is a plate beneath the window that states that the window was given in memory of Richard Occleshaw of Greystone House (Chapel Rd. Penketh) by his widow. It was erected in 1886.

Richard Occleshaw is buried in the churchyard and has a large stone monument on it. It is interesting to note that his name on his grave is spelt “Ockleshaw”  The gravestone records that Richard Ockleshaw died on 4th Jan. 1886, aged 85 and his wife Hannah, who gave the window, died a year later on 18th Jan. 1887, aged 63.

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The East Window

This window has three main lights. The central light shows Jesus as the Good Shepherd carrying a lamb on one arm and a crook in his other hand. The figure on the left of Jesus is Moses. He is carrying one of the stone tablets containing the ten commandments. David is shown on the right as king and musician.

The pinnacle design at the top of these three lights reflects the design of the old marble reredos that was replaced by the present wooden one in 1935. The bottom three small lights show angels holding a scroll. Unfortunately the text can hardly be read. It says “ He shall feed his flock like a shepherd” (Isaiah40.11). This verse is repeated in part in the scroll held by the two angels in the small lights above Jesus. Each side of these two angels are two small lights. These contain the emblems of the four evangelists or gospel writers. From left to right they are;-

• St Matthew – showing an angel representing divine man. From the earliest times it has  been said that St. Matthew teaches the human nature of our Lord
• St. Mark   - a winged lion. St Mark shows the royal dignity of Christ
• St. Luke – a Winged ox because he dwells on the sacrificial aspect of our Lord’s life
• St John – an eagle. John is said to have seen further into the mysteries of heaven than any other man.

The window was given by the employees of the Widnes Alkali Co. in memory of Edward Bolton  who died on 6th Oct. 1885 aged 33years.

Widnes Alkali Co. merged with others to form the United Alkali Co. in 1890. This was the first major merger in the chemical industry. In 1926 it amalgamated with other companies to form the General Chemical Group of ICI.

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The Baptistry Window

Until 1883 the place we now call the baptistry was the vicar’s vestry. In 1883 the church was enlarged and a vestry was built at the east end. A new font was placed in this area. The font itself was the gift of the Girls Friendly Society and the Sankey Women’s Guild. It is an octagonal in shape one reason given for using this shape is that Jesus was taken to the Temple on the eighth day. Each side carries a carving, two with monograms for the name of Jesus, the six- pointed star representing the six days of creation, the Greek letters alpha and omega and signifying that Christ is the beginning and the ending i.e. all that is necessary for salvation. The other sides contain fish, the ark and the dove, which are all signs of salvation.

The window above it is entitled “ Suffer the little children to come unto me.” (Matt. 19.14). It shows Jesus holding a child surrounded by other children who are looking up to him as if he is talking to them.

It was presented to the church in 1906 by the Vicar of the day, Rev. J. Roger Jones. It was given in memory of his wife Jane and his son, Aneuryn Parry.  Mr. Jones married again and she too died. He also had another son who was killed in action in the Great War of 1914 – 1918.

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The Window of St. John

St. John’s window is on the north side near the organ. It has three lights.

The panel on the left depicts the call of john by Jesus. The third figure is probably James, John’s brother. It is based on the text, “And they immediately left the ship and followed him” (Luke 5.11.). The rigging of the ship can be seen in the background.

The centre panel shows John with Mary, the mother of Jesus. On the top right are the three crosses of Calvary. As Jesus hung on the cross he asked John to look after his mother. Here John is taking Mary to his home. The text reads “The disciple took her to his own home” (John 19. 27)

The right hand panel shows John as an old man exiled on the island of Patmos. Pen in hand, he is thinking over the events of his time with Jesus and recording them for us to read. The lamb reminds us that it was John whorecorded Jesus as being the Good Shepherd – the one who knows every one of us by name and who died for us, his sheep. The text from Revelation reads “John bore record of the Word of God” (Rev. 1.2)

The window was designed by Jones and Willis and was given in 1906 in memory of Charlotte Forster by her friend, Miss Martha Rylands of Blackpool.

Between the window and the organ there is a memorial tablet to other members of the Forster family. The family vault is in the churchyard just the other side of this wall.

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The Window of St. Paul

The window at the west end of the north wall shows three scenes from the life of St. Paul.

The left panel shows Paul and Silas with the jailer at Philippi after the earthquake has destroyed the prison. The jailor called for lights and the fourth person is shown holding a burning torch. The jailor kneels before Paul and Silas  - note his sword and his keys hanging from his belt - and asks what he must do to be saved.  They replied, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16. 31)

The centre panel shows Paul presenting his case to King Agrippa. The King listens intently and says “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” To which Paul replied “ I would to God, that not only thou, but also all who hear me today were both almost, and altogether such as I am except for these bonds” (Acts 26.28,29.) Paul’s hands are in chains. There is a person writing down all that Paul said. Perhaps this is how Paul’s words have been preserved for us.

The right hand panel shows Paul shaking the viper off his hand into the fire. Acts 28.5 says “And he shook off the beast into the fire and felt no harm”. This happened when Paul was shipwrecked on the island of Melita (Malta). A fire was lit and Paul placed some sticks onto it and the snake jumped out of the sticks and bit him. The people expected him to die but when he showed no ill effects they said he must be a god.

The window was designed by Jones and Willis and was given by Mr. Edward Dignum of Toronto in memory of his father and mother, John and Ellen Hatton Dignum. It was dedicated on 26th April 1908 by Rev, Canon Wright Williams, Vicar of Farnworth.

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The Gallery Windows

To see these two windows you either have to go up into the gallery or to walk to the front of the church, turn round and look up to the back of the gallery.

These two windows were given in 1928 by Miss Mary Jane Tinsley and Miss Martha Tinsley in memory of their parents, William and Mary Tinsley of Three Elms, Penketh. They depict the four gospel writers.

The left hand window shows Matthew holding a quill and an open book and Mark holding his Gospel. The right hand window shows Luke holding his quill and his first volume, his Gospel. His second volume was the Acts of the Apostles. St John is wearing a chasuble (a garment worn by some priests at Holy Communion) and stole. He hold a chalice in his left hand and his right hand is raised in blessing. His Gospel is called the “spiritual gospel.”

William Tinsley was a Chapel Warden at one time and was the overseer and member of the Board of Guardians for Penketh for many years. The overseer was a public officer, appointed annually in every parish, whose primary duty was to assess the inhabitants for the poor rate, collect it, and apply it to the relief of the poor.

The Board of Guardians was elected to manage the affairs of the poor, manage the workhouse and work for the relief of the poor. William Tinsley was said to be diligent and faithful in carrying out these duties. He also organised the walking of the parish boundaries and was reckoned to know the position of every hedge!. They made notes of any encroachments, any alterations to the banks of rivers and reported on the state of bridges.

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