MERTHYR PARISH CHURCH
MEMORIAL WINDOWS.
On Sunday afternoon the dedication of five stained glass memorial
windows which have been placed in the restored parish church of
Merthyr took place at a service conducted by the rector (Rev. Di.
Lewis). The west window in the tower was given by Sir W. T. Lewis,
Bart., in memory of the local captains of industry;" the south aisle
window was presented by Mr. and Mrs. Frank James, in memory of the
late Miss Florence James, their daughter. and the three chancel
windows were the gifts of Miss Williams, Maesgrnddiad, and Mrs.
Brewer, Danygraig, Mon. In the chancel, which is of an apsidal form,
and the roof of which is groined, the lancets are about nine feet
high, in the three central lancets are, placed three stained glass
memorial windows by the well-known artist, Mr Kempe, London. The
subjects are the Crucifixion. The central window is divided into
three panels above is a canopy of peals of bells ringing, whilst the
central panel depicts Our Lord on the Cross, the lower of the panels
showing a pelican which is represented according to the old myth as
feeding its young with its own blood by picking its breast, this
being meant as emblematical of the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.
The right hand window has a canopy with bells ringing, the second
panel is that of the Blessed Virgin at the Cross, and the third or
lowest panel has an angel holding a shield on which are painted some
of the instruments of the Passion. The left hand window has also a
similar canopy of bells, the central panel depicting St. John at the
foot of the Cross. In the third panel there is an angel holding a
shield, on which again are painted the other instruments of the
Passion. In these three panels there are scrolls with suitable texts
in Latin from Holy Scripture. The windows pre' sent a very pleasing
appearance, and are regarded as a very becoming decoration of the
sanctuary. They were given by Miss Williams and Mrs. Brewer, in
memory of some of the members of the Maesgruddiad family. In the
south aisle is a handsome window divided into three panels. In the
central panel is depicted St. Cecilia playing on an instrument of
music. This window has beautiful Romanesque decorations. It was
presented by air and Mrs. Frank James, The next window in the tower
was given by Sir W. T. Lewis, Bart., and is considered to be a very
interesting work of art. It was de- signed by Mr. Newbury, London.
It incorporates subjects characteristic of the industries of the
district, and is in that respect a bold departure from the
conventional treatment of subjects in memorial glass. It is mainly
the conception of the rector, but it appears there are ancient
examples of such treatment. The stained glass window is divided into
three panels formed by a light framing of Norman detail. The upper
panel, which comprises the main portion of the window, illustrates
Luke ii. 1-4, where Jesus teaches the disciples to pray, and has two
angels above holding a scroll on which is written the first portion
of the Lord's Prayer, and on the panel below the picture continues,
Give us this day our daily bread." The smaller panels, which form a
base to the window, are filled with subjects relating to the
industries of the district. The left panel indicates a pit's mouth
with machinery, on which is inscribed The thing that is hid bringeth
He forth to light," and on the right blast furnaces are illustrated
" As for the earth, out of it cometh bread " and underneath the
wharfing and loading of coal and iron are depicted. These two panels
are decoratively treated, and it has been the artist's
endeavour
to combine the many interesting details as the space permits. At the
sill of the window are the arms of the donor, Sir Wm. T. Lewis,
Bart. Underneath is a hand. some brass plate three feet square, on
which are engraved the names of 37 of the captains of industry. The
inscription reads as follows
Efe a gyffwrdd a'r mynyddoedd a hwy a fygant "
Psalm 104, v. 32.
The above Window is erected to the Glory of God
and to perpetuate the memory of the following
CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY
With whom Sir William Thomas Lewis, Bart.
has been associated in the development of the Minerals
of the District, i.e.
William Adams, Ebbw Vale Works.
George Brown, Nixon's Collieries.
Crawshay Bailey, Nantyglo and Aberaman.
William Southern Clark, Aberdare.
The Crawshays of Cyfarthfa and Hirwain Works
Tom Curnow, Plymouth Works.
The Davies of Blaengwar.
William Davies, Lewis Merthyr Collieries.
Sir George Elliot, Bart., Aberaman.
The Evans' of Dowlais.
The Forman's of Penydarren Works.
Anthony Hill, Plymouth Works.
Thomas Howells, Lletty Shenkin Collieries
Christopher James, Llwyncelyn, Rhondda.
William Jenkins, Consett (formerly Dowlais).
R. Johnson, Rhymney.
William Jones, Cyfarthfa Works.
The Josephs, Plymouth Works.
The Kirkhouses. Cyfarthfa Works.
Lewis Lewis, The Graig and Lletty Shenkin Collieries
Lewis Thomas Lewis, Plymouth Collieries.
Lewis Thomas Lewis, Cadoxton Lodge, Neath.
The Llewellyn's of Hirwain and Pontypool
The Martins of Dowlais and Penydarren Works.
William Menelaus, Dowiais.
John McConnochie, Cardiff Captain Ralph Pomeroy, Cardiff.
Robert T. Rees, the Graig and Lletty Shenkin. Collieries.
Daniel Rees, the Graig and Lletty Shenkin Collieries.
The Thomas' of Waunwyllt
The Waynes, Gadlys Works.
David Williams, Ynyscynon.
Edward Williams, Middlesbrough (formerly Dowlais),
John Williams, Lletty Shenkin Collieries.
William Williams, Cyfarthfa Works.
W. H. Williams, Lewis Merthyr Collieries.
George Wilkinson, Cwmpenhar Collieries.
Heddwch i'w Llwch
Dlolchus Anrheg Syr William Thomas Lewis.
Barwnig, Mardy, Aberdar, 1896.
