Let there be light

Dec 13 2007 by Dave Black, The Journal

SUNLIGHT is once again flooding into the heart of a seaside church following the re-opening of a window blocked up more than 150 years ago.

Weddings, baptisms and other happy occasions at St Bartholomew’s Church in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland are being conducted in a bright new light after the “lost” window near the pulpit was restored at a cost of more than £20,000.

It has made a significant difference to the atmosphere at services in the famous landmark building, which stands on Church Point overlooking Newbiggin Bay and dates from 1174.

The 10ft by 4ft south-facing window was blocked up during major restora-tion and renovation work in the 1840s.

It has now been re-opened after £20,480 was raised for the scheme through bequests, public subscriptions and donations. Its design incorporates an image of a dove – the symbol of the Holy Spirit.

It means sunlight is once again streaming through and illuminating the pulpit and chancel crossing of the church.

The re-opened window was dedicated in a service conducted by the Archdeacon of Lindisfarne, the Venerable Bob Langley who also gave thanks for the recent restoration of the church’s ancient east window.

Yesterday vicar of Newbiggin, the Reverend Judith Grieve, said parishioners have long wanted to restore the “lost” window, but funds were never available until recently.

“It has made a huge difference because it is a window behind the pulpit where weddings and baptisms are held. Until now it was the darkest and dingiest part of the church, but restoring the window has seen the light flood back in. It has let light back into the very heart of the church, shining directly on to couples during their wedding service.”

Around £17,000 was raised by the church to restore the east window, which was last re-glazed in 1950.  

A £10,000 grant was provided by the Sita Trust, through the waste management company’s landfill communities fund, and there were also contributions from the county council and Alcan.

Ms Grieve said: “The east window is purely spectacular and everyone is truly thrilled that we have been able to restore it at the same time as opening the new window.”