New stained-glass window unveiled at Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral has unveiled its newest stained-glass window, a striking work of art that will be formally dedicated later this month during a special service.
The Prodigal Son Window was commissioned through the generosity of an anonymous donor and created over the past year by acclaimed British artist Thomas Denny. Denny’s work can be found in Leicester, Gloucester, and Durham Cathedrals, as well as in New York’s Trinity Church, Wall Street. His latest creation, composed of six panels, depicts the biblical parable of the Prodigal Son – a story told by Jesus to reveal the boundless mercy and love of God.
Great care was taken by the artist to ensure that his design was sensitive to its context within the Cathedral, with particular consideration of a window by the 17th-century Dutch artist Abraham van Linge immediately to its left depicting the story of Jonah from the Hebrew Scriptures. The breathtaking array of colours of Denny’s window were chosen to correspond to its neighbour, and a distant city hints at the towering terraces of Nineveh in van Linge’s work.
In the Jewish prophet and the complaining elder brother, the two windows share subjects who struggled to come to terms with the forgiving nature of God. Despite their difference in style, they speak through the centuries to each other of the patience and mercy of God, and so reveal the heart of the eternal Christian message: God is love.
‘To be allowed to install a window in this extraordinary assemblage of stained glass is an honour,’ said Thomas Denny.
‘I hope it will contribute to the sacred life of this place, rewarding those who come once – or many times.’
We are truly blessed by the window’s addition to the Cathedral, and know it will inspire and delight visitors and worshippers for generations.
We are truly blessed by the window’s addition to the Cathedral, and know it will inspire and delight visitors and worshippers for generations.
The Dean of Christ Church, The Very Revd Professor Sarah Foot, praised Denny’s achievement: ‘Thomas Denny has brought the story of the Prodigal Son to life with vibrant colours and layered textures.
‘The light and warmth emanating from this window are more than descriptive of the parable – they draw the viewer into its theological purpose, revealing the unconditional love of the father for his son, and in doing so, offering a profound insight into the very character of God. We are truly blessed by its addition to the Cathedral, and hope it will inspire and delight visitors and worshippers for generations.’
The Prodigal Son Window will be dedicated during Choral Evensong on Sunday 28 September at 6.05pm, sung by Frideswide Voices and the Clerks of the Cathedral Choir. The Dean will preach at the service, and all are warmly invited to attend.
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