Lumsden Memorial Window, St James the Less, Aberdeen
Morning Glass Designs recently completed a year long project restoring a stained glass window at St James the Less, Aberdeen.
Background
In February 2021 Morning Glass were approached by architect David Chouman to survey Window nI as part of ongoing renovations at St James the Less, a well known church in Aberdeen at the west end of Union Street. Known as the Lumsden Window, this large (3.6 x 1.2m) 5 section lancet light was erected in a church in Crown Street in 1858, before being transferred to the present St James in 1888. It's thought the dedication plate at the base of the window was added at this time.
The window was gifted by Colonel Lumsden in memory of his son, Lieutenant William Henry Lumsden who was killed in action at Nujuffghur on 25th August 1857 during the Indian Mutiny. He was serving in the forces of the East India Company alongside his elder brothers Lieutenant-General Harry Burnett Lumsden, better known as Lumsden of the Guides, and General Sir Peter Stark Lumsden.
Description
Window nI sits at clerestory level on the N wall of the Chancel. The opening of the round Romanesque arched light measures approximately 1250 x 3200mm, and the five panel window is supported by 4 steel division bars and 3 steel saddle bars. The panel is set in a stone rebate with a sand mastic fillet between the stone and outer lead.
The five panels are made up of three large central sections on a dedication plate, capped by a short header starting well above the spring line. (Fig. 1). From the base, these panels are as follows:
- Panel 1 - Dedication plate
- Panel 2 - Lower Roundel: Agnus Dei in a bordered octagonal star with lilies.
- Panel 3 - Central Roundel: The risen Christ, above a crowd with the inscription “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” - Matthew 24:42.
- Panel 4 - Upper Roundel: The Holy Spirit, depicted as a dove, in a bordered octagonal star with lilies.
- Panel 5 - Small header section
The three large roundels are set on a blue and gold lattice background, interspersed with floral half roundels, with the overall effect being to mimic a mediaeval style panel.
The lead work is of a very high standard, with delicate round 3/16” came throughout the lattic background drawing attention to the roundels, which are leaded in 1/4” and 3/8” flat came.
There are no studio marks on the window so the artist responsible is unknown.
Preliminary Site Visit
During building works, a hole in the window was noted. On closer inspection from scaffold in place for ongoing stonework, it was clear the window was beginning to fail. A large tear in the leadwork had been patched previously using wire threaded through the lead and tightened with wooden pegs. As well as this tear, there were only a few coherent tie wires remaining and the window was visibly moving on wnidy days.
Removal
The window was removed in March 2021, while scaffold was in place for pointing and roofworks. Carol and Simon from Bahill Glass in Huntly helped with the removal (and subsequent repairs and reinstallation). Evidence of a deeper channel filled with Portland Cement indicating the window had been removed once before, consistent with observed repairs.
Restoration
The full strip out and rebuild of the 5 panels took almost 11 months. Much of this was Covid-19 related, in particular the ongoing disruption to supply chains and difficultiies in sourcing materials.
While the top and bottom panels were relatively straighforward, the complexity of the leadwork made rebuilding the panels a challenge. The largest panel had 3500 individual solder joints. A rubbing of each panel was taken, before being rubbed, stripped, cleaned and matched for glass colour and paint. All replacements, repairs (strap leads) and alterations to original leadwork were noted on full scale drawings for reference.
Installation
The restored window was reinstalled in April 2022. Scaffold access to the awkward site was reinstalled by Graeme Cheyne Builders, and the crated panels were lifted in the basket of a large Manitou telehandler. New ferramata (metal supports) were installed into the stone, and the panels were pointed into place using sand mastic.
