Windows and brasses

Exodus 35:35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers.

Please note: This page is currently under development. We hope to reissue a full version in due course with accompanying images of the windows and brasses.

Stained Glass Windows

Nothing is known of any medieval stained glass at Wonersh, as all traces were destroyed in the 1793 restoration, when plain clear glass was installed in every window. The 1901 restoration, however, envisaged the return of stained glass to the church. Over the next 37 years, stained glass was installed in eight of the windows.

North Wall of the Nave

The first stained glass window installed after the 1901 restoration was made by James Powell and Sons and installed in 1902. It was a gift from Frank (or Richard?) Sparkes in memory of his father John. It depicts St John the Baptist holding a lamb with a scroll reading "Ecce Agnus Dei" (Behold the Lamb of God). An inset shows John just before his beheading on the shores of the Dead Sea. The inscription reads:

"In memory of John Sparkes 1900."

Windows by Archibald Nicholson

Four of the windows were made by Archibald Nicholson, son of the architect Charles Nicholson who reordered the church in 1901. One additional window is from his studio.

East Window (Chancel)

Dated 1915, the large east window behind the altar is themed around the Te Deum. It is reputed to be Nicholson's finest work, done in the Kempe style, using red and blue rather than Kempe's usual green tinge. It was commissioned by Lady Victoria Ria Ponsonby and her sister Lady Grace Blois in memory of their parents:

"In memory of Edmund Hegan Kennard and Agnes his wife 1912."

The family moved to Great Tangley Manor in 1905.

Central Panels:

  • "When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb" ("Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem non horruisti Virginis uterum"): the Nativity, with Mary in blue, baby Jesus, a shepherd with a lamb, and one of the three kings.

  • "When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers" ("Tu devicto mortis aculeo aperuisti credentibus regna coelorum"): the Crucifixion with Christ, a serpent at his feet, flanked by Mary and St John.

  • "Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father" ("Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes in gloria Patris"): Christ enthroned, crowned and holding an orb, with two angels kneeling on a pillow.

Side Panels:

  • Upper panels: Tree of Jesse flanked by two angels.

  • Top side lights: Six apostles:

    • Left: John (Sanctus Johannus), James (Sanctus Jacobus), Peter (Sanctus Petrus)

      • Inscription: "Te gloriosus Apostolorum..."

    • Right: Andrew (Sanctus Andreas), Paul (Sanctus Paulus), Thomas (Sanctus Thomas)

      • Inscription: "Laudat chorus..."

  • Middle side lights:

    • Martyrs: Stephen (Sanctus Stepanus), Agnes (Sanctus Agnes), Edmund (Sanctus Edmundus)

    • Prophets: Moses, Isaiah (Isaius), John the Baptist (Sanctus Johannus Baptista)

      • Inscription: "Te Propherarum laudabilis laudat numerus"

  • Lower side lights: Saints from the global church:

    • Left: Martin of Tours (Sanctus Martinus de Tours), Columba (Sanctus Columba), and Bishop George Augustus Selwyn (G.A. Selwyn)

      • Inscription: "Te per orbem terrarum..."

    • Right: Athanasius (Sanctus Athanasius), Augustine (Sanctus Augustinus), Bishop William of Wykeham

      • Inscription: "Sancta confitetur Ecclesia"

Lady Chapel Windows

East Window (1902) Archibald Nicholson's first-ever window, designed and made entirely by him. The central panel features Christ ("To the Glory of God") flanked by St George and St Alban, both 3rd-century Roman soldier saints. Six figures appear in the top lights, with two outer angels bearing the regimental badges of the Royal Field Artillery and the 4th King's Own Regiment.

  • Right panel:

    "In memory of Jack Hanwell, Major 35th Batt. Royal Field Artillery. Killed in action near Ventersburg, October 30th 1900, aged 38."

  • Left panel:

    "In memory of Alfred Bayley Ridley, Capt. 4th King's Own Regiment. Died 25th March 1898, aged 38."

North Wall Window Depicts the Annunciation. Inscription:

"Ave Gratia Plena Dominus Tecum Benedicta Tu In Mulieribus"

Gift of Alice Virgo, in memory of her father, mother, and niece. (RIP 1927)

Tower Lancet Window

Depicts Madonna and Child, gifted by Rev. Philip Cunningham and his wife upon leaving in 1906. Inscription:

"Deo Gratias" P&FGC 1898–1901

Nave – South Wall (West End)

Window by Smith and Pawle (1938), showing John Hugh Granville Randolph, Bishop Suffragan of Guildford (1909–1927). He is shown kneeling in a cope given to him by the fellowship and still used by the church. Scroll above his head: "Judica me Domine" Inscription:

"In memory of John Hugh Granville Randolph DD, 1866–1936, Bishop Suffragan of Guildford 1909–1927, Dean of Salisbury 1928–1935, and of his wife Beatrice Mary Hatfield 1862–1935. Who lived in Wonersh 1909–1928. R.I.P." The A.K. Nicholson Stained Glass Studios G.E.R. Smith, 35 Circus Rd, St John’s Wood, London

Central Nave Window

Designed by Rev. Henry Henman. Depicts the Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist, who holds a scroll: "Ecce, Agnus Dei". Inscription:

"To the Glory of God this window was erected in memory of Elihu Edmund Body MA, Vicar of this Parish 1852–1892, by his widow. AD 1904."

Window Near the Pulpit

A clear-glass window with an inset of 16th-century Austrian glass, rich in colour, purchased in 1928 in Zurich from Castle Leopoldskron, Salzburg. Possibly related to the Hohenzollern family. Gift of Beatrice Cook in 1933. Inscription:

"And God said, Let there be Light: and there was Light." "Dedicated to the Memory of Frank Henry Cook, 1862–1931."

Brasses

Five brasses are located in the chancel:

Thomas and Alicia Elyot (South Side)

Thomas Elyot (d. 1467), Filacer for Surrey and Sussex and Clerk of the Peace for Surrey, and his wife Alicia, daughter of William Calverdon. They lived at Green Place, opposite the church.

Henry and Johanna Elyot (North Side)

Thomas’s son. Depicted with wife Johanna and their 23 children (12 sons, 11 daughters). He died 2nd June 1503. These brasses were moved to the south chapel in 1793/4 and returned to the chancel in 1901.

Latin inscription:

Hic jacet Thomas Elyot de Wonersh, custos Filacii Surr. Et Sussexiae in Banco Regis et Cl’cusoPasis Com. Surr. Et Alicia uxor ejus, qui obit vicesimo Die Januarii mensis anno D’no mill’mo CCC sexag-esimo septimo.

Hic jacet Henricus Elyot Gen’osus et Johan’a Uxor ejus, qui quidem Henricus obit secundo die Junii anno D’ni million VC III. Quorum a’i’mabus pro-picietur Deus Amen.

Elizabeth Blenerhayset

Brass plate on the north side of the chancel floor. Daughter of Thomas Blenerhayset, steward to Thomas, 2nd Duke of Norfolk. Died 11th January 1513.

Latin inscription:

Hic jacet Elisabetha una filiar’ Thomae Blen’hayset, Seneschali Hospicii Serenissima Ducis Norff., qui Obijt XI die Januarij, anno D’ni mdxiij cujus a’i’e p’picietur De’s.

Translation:

Here lies Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Blenerhayset, steward of the household of his serene highness the Duke of Norfolk, who died 11th day of January AD 1513. On whose soul may God have mercy.

Elisabeth Bosseville

South chancel. Died 1578, 27 days old. Daughter of Henry Bosseville. A palimpsest brass, possibly Flemish.

Inscription:

Here lieth buried the body of Elisabeth Boffeville, daughter of Henry Boffeville Gentleman who died the 9 daye of February 1578 being 27 dayes oulde.

Algernon Leslie Brown

Brass in central aisle, in memory of Algernon Leslie Brown, Vicar 1906–1947 and former Selwyn College tutor. Designed by Rev. Allan Wyon, installed 1951.

Lost Brass

A sixth brass was recorded by Manning but has disappeared. A stone slab under the tower once held a brass figure and a tablet for Emeline Hobbys, wife of Andrew Hobbys.

Latin inscription:

Orate pro anima Emeline Hobbys, uxoris Andreae Hobbys Armigeri, qui quidem Emelina obit die Dominica XXXIII Octobris anno Dni MCCCCLXXXVI cujus animae propicietur Deus.

Paintings

Royal Achievement of Arms

Located near the pulpit, marked "GIII R" (George III). A Hanoverian example, pre-1801, likely given after the 1793 restoration.

Religious Paintings

Gifted in 1927 by executors of Lady Roberts-Austen, including works by her brother R.H. Aldrich:

  • Vision of St Helena by Veronese (nave)

  • Madonna of the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci (nave)

  • Virgin and Child by Parmigiano (Lady Chapel)

  • Virgin with St John the Baptist and St Mary Magdalene by Mantegna (copy by S. Hemphill Vaughan, 1895)

Grantley Family Hatchments

Four diamond-shaped hatchments hang in the nave:

  • North side (left):

    1. Grace Norton, Countess of Portsmouth (d. 1813)

    2. Thomas Brinsley Norton, 4th Baron Grantley (d. 1877)

  • South side (right): 3. William Norton, 2nd Baron (d. 1822) 4. Anna Margarita Midgeley (d. 1795)

There is no hatchment for Fletcher Norton, 1st Baron (d. 1789), nor the 3rd Baron (d. 1875), who is commemorated in Ripon Cathedral (1840).

 

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