Stained glass windows are an integral part of our heritage, and most of our important religious and state buildings are adorned by such windows, which themselves tell a story. I have been interested in this type of window, since we had an issue with a damaged stain glass window at St James’. The window was one of the many Charles E Kemp windows that we have at St James’ that bring colour, life and history to our church. I am in the process of writing a pamphlet about the stained glass windows at St James, and thought I’d start with the latest stained glass window which tells the historical journey of the Parish over 1000years. This was done to commemorate the Millennium and created by local artist Bill Davies of Wirral based on ideas presented by members of the community, and the Local History Group led by myself. Artist Phil Hodges, and the late Eric Kenyon, were the main movers of the planned design, working with Bill Davies. It was entirely funded by the local community and is a worthy addition to our historical heritage. The history of the window is described below.

The Millennium Window at St James’ Christleton was designed by Bill Davies of Irby, Wirral, who has created a masterpiece based on ideas from members of the community. The figure of Christ stands magnificently with arms outstretched welcoming people through the ages, to church and chapel, standing side by side at his feet. This reflects the work of Churches Together in Christleton.

Above the figure of Christ are the symbols of a shell representing St James’, a bell rope for the tradition of bell ringing in the church since 1737, and a mute swan representing the village. On either side of Christ are figures representing village history over the last thousand years. On the lower right hand side, is Robert, Baron of Malpas, patron of the church in 1086. Above him is the kneeling figure of Celia Fiennes the famous traveller, who rode through Christleton on her white horse in 1685. The uppermost figures are Lucy Anne & Townsend Ince, benefactors of the present church building and of the village in general in Victorian times.

On the left are the figures of Prince Rupert of the Rhine, nephew of King Charles 1st, who largely destroyed the village in early 1645, before the Battle of Rowton Moor. The Abbot seen kneeling above, obtained water from the well in Christleton in 1285 for the Abbey in Chester. The figures of a mother & child represent the present generation in 2000AD.

The window is signed with Bill Davies’ own symbol, a windmill, and this can be seen in the lower part of the window. We hope that this unique piece of craftsmanship will grace our church for centuries to come, letting the light of Christ illuminate the Lady Chapel through this beautiful window. As it is Bill’s final work, it is fitting that he has used his own hands as models for those on the figure of Christ. The window was dedicated on Sunday 5th January 2003, by the Reverend Graham Evans, Superintendent of the Chester Methodist Circuit and the Dean of Chester, the Very Reverend Dr. Gordon McPhate. The Service was conducted by the Rector of Christleton Canon Revd. K Peter Lee