Stained Glass Windows in St.Lawrence Church

 The three stained glass windows along one side of the church originally were located in the chapel of the hospital for lung diseases, known as the Royal National Hospital, completed in 1872, closed in 1964 and demolished in 1969. The hospital site is now the car park for Ventnor Botanic Garden. When the chapel was demolished,, the stained glass windows were relocated to St.Lawrence Church, this information appears in one of the rental cottages at the gardens. The windows were donated by Ventnor Urban District Council as a a memorial to the devoted service of doctors, nurses and governors who worked there. We went to see them on a day when lunch was being served which was very good because we were able to meet people who live in the parish and chat to them about the church and its windows.

These are the three pre-Raphaelite south windows all featuring acts of healing since they were in a hospital chapel. It's not possible to see that much detail from the photos, the information in the post is largely taken from a booklet available to buy in the church.

This one features St.Peter the Apostle, designed by Edward Burne-Jones in 1871, St.Peter is wearing a gold robe; it is a form of cartoon by Burne-Jones, first designed by him for Peterhouse, Cambridge. The large key is a symbol of authority.

This window above depicts St.Luke the Physican, designed by Ford Madox Brown in 1869, a large volume of Hippocrates is held in his left hand, with three flowers in his right hand.

Above and below, St.John the Evangelist is also designed by Burne-Jones, similar to one originally designed for the Savoy Chapel in Westminster. I've looked up Burne-Jones stained glass window designs, there are many different ones.

This window below, is not a pre-Raphaelite window, but looks quite in keeping with them, it features the |Parable of the Sower

This one below was designed by W.E.Tower, figures are identified by the objects they hold.

The west window by Sir William Reynolds-Stephens in 1892 below is described in the booklet as an 'early Morris-cum art nouveau period', and is therefore of considerable interest. It was also first situated in the Royal National Hospital and features scenes of healing.

The parish church was built in 1876, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott.

There is also a pre-Raphaelite light box on the north wall, with healing scenes.