Thursday, November 19, 2009

Stained Glass Windows Removed


Thanks to Cathy Baker for this link.

VALUABLE stained-glass windows at an ancient Moray chapel were yesterday being removed as part of preparation work for the Fochabers bypass.

The world-famous pre-Raphaelite windows at Gordon Chapel at Fochabers are being removed and stored by the Scottish Glass Company to save them from being damaged during the work, which will speed up traffic on the A96 Inverness to Aberdeen road.

The windows were designed by Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris and Company.

Although they were not part of the original design of the Gothic-style chapel, which was built in the 1830s, they were added between 1874 and 1919. Each of the windows commemorates a member or members of the Gordon Lennox family. The modern St Andrew window was added in 1990 to commemorate Sir George Gordon Lennox.

During the bypass work, which is expected to take three years to complete, tough plastic sheeting will be used to cover the gaps in the stone frames.

The windows are expected to be put back in with a special acoustic protective layer.

A major six-month refurbishment of the chapel, including a new roof and repairs to stone work, is due to start soon. Services will be held in the rectory underneath the church in the meantime.

5 comments:

Belle-Etoile said...

How interesting! I have to say, removing those windows would scare me to death. I'd be so afraid someone would drop them!

Laura Goff said...

Do you have any more photos? I always enjoy seeing beautiful windows. Laura

State of the Art, Inc.
Sotaglass.com

Cathy said...

Hi Laura ... Below is a link to the website of Gordon Chapel, in the village of Fochabers, Moray, Scotland.
After entering the site, click on the Windows link on the right side of page to view the stained glass.
The History section of the website (Part II) mentions when the Burne-Jones windows were installed. - Enjoy.
Gordon Chapel

Cathy said...

Sorry ... the 'Windows' link is actually on the left side of the page. :)

Grace said...

Thanks for that info, Cathy!!