Annual Appeal: Windows, Framing England's History
Little Cawthorpe stained glass damage
© CCT
Amongst the churches in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust there are countless windows, each of which tells its own story and is unique. Whether windows are individually filled with colourful images and stained glass, plain with a strong frame, or striking tracery, they act as visual representations of the communities and their history that have inhabited the building.
CCT is a unique national charity that cares for a growing collection of church buildings of significant architectural, historical, cultural, and artistic importance, each of which houses truly remarkable windows that have borne witness to so much of England’s rich and varied historical past.
From ecclesiastic building specialists to church crawlers and passers-by, windows offer something for everyone to appreciate. However, far too often they can be the subject of opportunistic crime, which results in costly repair bills and devastated communities. For instance, the windows of St Helen’s Church in Little Cawthorpe recently fell victim to vandalism as several of the stained-glass heads of historic saints were smashed by air gun pellets.
Windows are also vulnerable to other methods of destruction that can be more common than instances of heritage crime: namely, the environment. The CCT’s Church of St Michael and All Angel in Princetown, Devon, is a prime example of the environment taking its toll to a devastating degree. Located in one of the highest towns in the country, the church has suffered from extreme variations in temperature and humidity. This has subsequently damaged the painted surface of glass windows. To ensure these were not lost entirely, urgent conservation work was taken. However, the windows will continue to require lifelong care.
© CCT
Across CCT’s increasing estate, we look after a vast range of different window types, from minute stone peep holes that often house endangered wildlife, to world-renowned stained-glass windows, such as Church of St Mary’s the Virgin in Shrewsbury. Each window needs a tailored and specialized conservation approach, which we are equipped to provide.
It is for these reasons, and many more, that this Annual Appeal is in vital need of your philanthropic support. Windows are a crucial piece of the elaborate puzzle that forms our historic churches, yet they are often in jeopardy. Please help us continue caring for these fundamental parts of our historic churches by donating to Windows: Framing England’s History today.
Donate to the Annual Appeal to make a lasting impact. By making a donation, you will personally invest in our historic buildings, and traditional skills and techniques to ensure their long-term future.