The St. James Window
This was a gift from St. Mark’s, Hamilton upon their closing. It is noted on a plaque on the wall of the Narthex. The original was built during World War 2. The lead was used sparingly at the time and it needed re-leading and further restoration before installation and rededication. This work was a gift from Mary Graydon in 1989.
Others gifts from St. Marks include the following:
- The Hymn Board,
- The Font,
- The Pews in the Chancel and elsewhere in the church,
- The Sanctuary Lamp,
- Kitchen dishes and Silverware
- and A “Garland” Gas Stove (which has since been replaced by two electric ranges)
The main windows over the Altar
Cartoons and Stained Glass above the Altar
The original three “cartoons”were rubbings from England. A gift of Vern and Ethel Breen of Christ Church, Brampton c. 1980, there was a choice of several. The Rev. Canon Bryon Nash had them mounted by an oversize photography company. The cartoons were then hung in the original building for approximately three years. When the present church was built, the three cartoons were sent to Bullas Glass in Brantford to be used to create the stained glass windows above the altar. The Cartoons were then placed in the Narthex by the entrance doors and beneath the skylight.
The stained glass windows were the gifts of members of St. James as part of their support of the Building Fund and in memory of family members. The centre window by Barbara Dunning,the left by Doris Black, and the right by Jane Cameron.
The “Crest” window
The New St. James “Crest” Window
In March of 2013, two parishioners of St. James the Apostle Anglican Church, Brampton, Marilyn Pearce and William (Bill) Ford, who were newly studying and creating stained glass items at the senior’s community centre in Brampton, decided to offer to create a new stained glass window to replace the plain glass above the original and historic St. James’ window, installed in the church when it was constructed in 1989. Discussions over the years were held to decide what would be a suitable stained glass window.Marilyn and Bill offered to make a window representing the crest of St James as used by the Cathedral of St. James, Diocese of Toronto, in the “foil method” of stained glass which was used by the renowned artist Tiffany for his stained glass works
The Crest has 175 separate pieces of glass and took just over 300 hours of work to complete. Their offering was as an act of stewardship and thanksgiving to God for their gifts of time, talent and treasure and was accepted by the Rev. Ron Duncan, the incumbent, on behalf of St. James church.
When completed the stained glass window was dedicated by the Rt. Reverend Philip Poole, Area Bishop, York–Credit Valley, Diocese of Toronto on Sunday September 15, 2013.
The “Crest”
The crest is shown below with notes on the significance of the various components which make up the crest
- The ship and water represent one form of travel used by pilgrims to travel to St. Iago de Compestello in Spain – a shrine reputed to be his burial place.
- The staff with pouch represents the walking pilgrim carrying necessities over one shoulder.
- The sword was the means of St. James’ martyrdom –beheading.
- The shells represent the sea and James’ family business of fishing.
- The colours are taken from the original crest at St. James Cathedral.
Learn more about the Making of the Crest window here.
The “Children’s” stained glass windows at the entrance to the Worship Area
The “Children’s Windows” are a simple and stylized depiction of the traditional Nativity scene and Noah’s Arc with the Dove of Peace and Olive Branch to help the Sunday School teachers tell these stories with actual artifacts to refer to.These windows were made by Marilyn Pearce and William (Bill) Ford in 2014.
The Stained Glass in the Narthex Entrance
These truly stained glass windows, using lead to hold the glass in position,were made by a locally well-known artist and member of St. James congregation Diane Tait as memorial to Helen Emmerson Broughton; Gordon Edward Broughton, and Henry William Broughton.