Stained glass
The stained glass windows vary in date and style.
A large window over a main altar of a church is always known as the ‘East window’, even when it is in the West as here in St. Anne’s church. A round window with an intricate design is know as a ‘rose window’
The window above the Lady Altar depicts the Holy Spirit in two forms: descending as a dove with a halo with three arms of a cross which is always associated with one of the Holy Trinity, and as tongues of fire which descended on the Disciples at Pentecost.
The window above St. Joseph’s altar shows the Lamb of God with the Banner of the Resurrection symbolising victory over death.
The window in the Baptistry, now the shop, depicts the Descent of the Holy Spirit onto Christ at the baptism in the Jordan by St. John the Baptist.
The windows around the church have colourful octagonal insets each with a Christian symbol, of the Christ, Our blessed Lady, the Eucharist, instruments of the Passion and St. Joseph. Current parishioners remember them being inserted in the 1960s when the church was being reordered. The were paid for by families making donations in memory of loved ones.
The Rosary window
The Centenary Booklet quotes a newspaper report:
“On Sunday last was unveiled a new rose window, which has been constructed over the high altar in St Anne’s Church and which has been executed in conformity with the general plan. The work therefore being admirably in keeping with the architectural elegance which characterises the sacred edifice, enhances in no considerable degree the beauty of the whole structure. The design of the masonry is especially fine, its large size giving scope for subtlety in the carving of detail.
“The principal feature is, as the name suggests, the five cinque pointed opes which surround a central one. Between these giving grace and lightness, is an arrangement of straight sided, narrow double opes, each finishing in a four-centre arch, and a crowned by a trefoil. Filling in this main plan are spandril cuttings, occasional geometric foils of more or less detailed character, and underneath, forming a base, six quatrefoils in line.
“The general effect is one of exceeding richness, some of the intense colours rivalling in brilliance the production of the famous mediaevals.”
