This summer the Church of England Digital Team came up with the wonderful idea of getting churches to share photos of their stained glass windows online using the hashtag #StainedGlassSummer.
I loved seeing all the images shared and joined in sharing a painting inspired by the baptistery window at Coventry Cathedral which I visited at the start of August.
![An abstract impression of Coventry Cathedral's Baptistery Window](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_b54d279676f64ce0841a12c6977b0998~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_b54d279676f64ce0841a12c6977b0998~mv2.jpg)
I was asked by a number of people in churches around the country of I could paint my impression of their stained glass windows. How could I say no to such wonderful requests.
Through August I created a series of paintings, both representative and abstract, of my visually impaired impressions of Stained Glass Windows. I wonder if you can identify which churches these belong to.
![the 'Railway Window' at @standrewschurchtaun St Andrews Church Taunton by artist Clare
Fabstainedglass](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_41c24dd43297493597bc3ef837ae83cc~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_41c24dd43297493597bc3ef837ae83cc~mv2.jpg)
![My impression of a stained glass window at Rochester Cathedral which includes a bridge](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_319df7b4e5244a68b51d5713bac868a5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_319df7b4e5244a68b51d5713bac868a5~mv2.jpg)
![William Morris window at St Michael's Church in Tilehurst.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_04320393be5b47a1915b8fa532b833cd~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_04320393be5b47a1915b8fa532b833cd~mv2.jpg)
![William Morris window at St Michael Tilehurst.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_9e52571d6e984333bcfbc726264cd4b6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_9e52571d6e984333bcfbc726264cd4b6~mv2.jpg)
![My impression of all saints church at Cotsgrave stained glass window](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_7588c9a4455948ee98e0515c912eac62~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_7588c9a4455948ee98e0515c912eac62~mv2.jpg)
![My impression of the stained glass in St David's Church on Caldey Island](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_6fd32abaaa634b779e0a337a22f4640c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_6fd32abaaa634b779e0a337a22f4640c~mv2.jpg)
![My impression of the stained glass art Eton Wick church](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_62d6f35cdf1c40448ba130af7d465c74~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_62d6f35cdf1c40448ba130af7d465c74~mv2.jpg)
![abstract of St Edmundsbury Cathedral Creation Window](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_c84b57532cc74da19d379572d1ac6961~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_c84b57532cc74da19d379572d1ac6961~mv2.jpg)
![St Mary the Boltons:
The crucifixion window by Craigie Aitchison](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_e897180f74624d9fa339160544d8cb37~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_e897180f74624d9fa339160544d8cb37~mv2.jpg)
![abstract painting of the window in the Chapel of St Thomas at Gloucester Cathedral](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_d3097830274c40748ad4230651e86167~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_d3097830274c40748ad4230651e86167~mv2.jpg)
![An abstract painting of The Frideswide Window at Christ Church Cathedral Oxford](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_ec54247375f04551a1f214c1198e1f1b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_ec54247375f04551a1f214c1198e1f1b~mv2.jpg)
![My impression of st Paul's Penny Church window](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_6652dd44f5b84c99817f184a4cbe942d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_6652dd44f5b84c99817f184a4cbe942d~mv2.jpg)
![Stained Glass of Reading Minster of St Mary the Virgin in Reading](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_2957317082a64824a5cdc55cfb1632b6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_2957317082a64824a5cdc55cfb1632b6~mv2.jpg)
![My impression of the Western stained glass window at Liverpool's Anglican cathedral](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_9cadfe6af59346e982720767a7e7db48~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_9cadfe6af59346e982720767a7e7db48~mv2.jpg)
![Rose Window at York Minster.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_577ccc27a31b460f9cf523ae5f72b6e2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_577ccc27a31b460f9cf523ae5f72b6e2~mv2.jpg)
Rachel was on tour with Berkshire Youth Symphony Orchestra at the end of August, playing in churches in Edinburgh, Paisley and Beverley. I painted my impression of windows at these locations as a way of celebrating the wonderful concerts.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_220b415b21ee4b8c864424c28641f099~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_220b415b21ee4b8c864424c28641f099~mv2.jpg)
I also created 3 paintings of my own designs which I could imagine as Stained Glass Windows.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_887cafb9705545a78dfdfba02cdbccc1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_887cafb9705545a78dfdfba02cdbccc1~mv2.jpg)
![inspired by Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
9 arrows lead to 9 golden circles - journey with the spirit.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_af66ad07a286448384494cae9bc52cab~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_af66ad07a286448384494cae9bc52cab~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_c5ed27090c284035982aee0a3266ebb7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_c5ed27090c284035982aee0a3266ebb7~mv2.jpg)
Here are some more Stained Glass Windows with prayers
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_795abe356e81431bad5aabfdb64b223d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_795abe356e81431bad5aabfdb64b223d~mv2.jpg)
God of the world
Bless all the living creatures
Open our eyes to their needs
Remind us that we are one species amongst many
Lead us as caretakers
Amen
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_5bad3a402ade43899b8970f3461f2cb5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_5bad3a402ade43899b8970f3461f2cb5~mv2.jpg)
God of love
Open our hearts fully
Remind us that love is eternal, freely given and unlimited
Help us love our neighbours as well as strangers
Warming the hearts of all we meet
Amen
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_f44bafa167eb4bf889dba12516b119ed~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_f44bafa167eb4bf889dba12516b119ed~mv2.jpg)
God of creativity
Alight in each of us your fire of imagination
Release our fears and encourage us to share openly
Knowing that you will connect our outpouring with those who need it
Amen
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/081fa5_2950dc59486d455382f51817ee6b95c1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/081fa5_2950dc59486d455382f51817ee6b95c1~mv2.jpg)
God of acceptance
Remind us to live one day at a time, without fear or judgement of ourselves or others
Help us look for your light in every moment and offer that to those we meet
Amen
You can see all my Stained Glass inspired paintings in my Photo Album
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