| This window was made in 1935 by Clayton and
Bell, a famous London stained glass firm. It is a picture of Jesus Christ
in Heaven. It draws upon the experience and beliefs of the first generation
of Christians as recorded in the New Testament. This experience and these
beliefs about Jesus Christ were expressed through the art of the early
church in an art form called "Majestas Domini", meaning "the Majesty of the
Lord". It is this early Christian art form which is expressed in this east
window. |
The East Window |
| It celebrates and represents Christ the King.
It expresses the authority that Jesus Christ, crucified, risen and ascended
carries now in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28.18). As King he is seated on
God's throne (Revelation 3.21), he wears a crown (Hebrews 2.9) and he
carries an orb in his hand. Behind the throne in heaven there is a Rainbow
(Revelation 4.3) a symbol of God's covenant with the whole of his creation
(Genesis 9.8-17). |
Enthroned in Glory |
| The orb is a small globe with a cross above it.
As King of Kings (Revelation 19.16) in Christian art Christ is sometimes
portrayed holding an orb. |
Orb |
| Above him is the dove, a symbol of God the Holy
Spirit, who filled and guided Jesus in his earthly life and who fills and
guides the disciples of Jesus in every age. It is by the Spirit of God that
we are able to see the true authority, majesty and glory of the heavenly
Christ (Revelation 1.10). It is by the Spirit that we can hear what Christ
the King says to us. |
Dove |
| "Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool"
(Isaiah 66.1) was taken by the early church as a promise fulfilled by Jesus
Christ. So in the art form "Majestas Domini" Jesus was portrayed as seated
on a throne in Heaven with his feet resting on the earth. This is exactly
represented here! |
Earth thy Footstool |
| The face of the heavenly Christ is portrayed
like the sun shining at full strength (Revelation 1.16). |
Shining Face |
| The right hand of the heavenly Christ is raised
in blessing, as in the sixth century church of St. Apollinare Nuovo,
Ravenna, Italy. The King and priest Melchizedek blessed Abraham (Genesis
14.18-20) and early Christians saw his ministry as fulfilled by Jesus Christ
(Hebrews 4.14 - 5.10 and 8.1). |
Hand |
| Christ the king is worshipped on heaven by
angels, five of them are portrayed here, and one of the angels swings
incense in a thurible or censer! So in Revelation 5.11 we read 'I heard
around the throne...... the voice of many angels...... saying "Worthy is the
Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and
honour and glory and blessing."' |
Five angels |
| Two of the most famous saints represent the
heavenly host, the Virgin Mary..... |
 The Virgin Mary |
| .....and St. John the Baptist. They are both
turned towards the heavenly Christ and worship him as their King. |
 John the Baptist |
| The Christian Church is represented by the arms
of the Dioceses of London, Chelmsford, and St. Albans and they express the
worship of Christians on earth and heaven of Christ the King. This Church
was in the Diocese of London from 1833 - 1867, ..... |
 London |
| .....the Diocese of St. Albans from 1867 - 1914,
..... |
 St. Albans |
| .....and has been a part of the Diocese of
Chelmsford since 1914. |
 Chelmsford |
| Notice at least two other crowns! One is on the
Arms of the Diocese of St. Albans and represents the crown of the early
Christian martyr, St. Alban. The other is on the arms of King Edward the
Confessor. He once owned the land on which this church stands and he built
Westminster Abbey. He was famous for his piety and was venerated as a saint.
"Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation
2.10) |
 Edward Confessor |
| The Arms of the Borough of Leyton (partly
obscured by the reredos) express the Christian belief that all human rulers
are accountable to God, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven". |
 Arms of Leyton |
| These beautiful windows were given in loving
memory of Ada, wife of E. J. Tooley, Churchwarden from 1912 - 1919. |
 Central Window |
