In his submission, the designer Roland Mitten wrote:
In my tribute to Joan Greenwood, I have devoted the design of the tracery to the memory of the Biblical ‘Hebrew Midwives’. In my research I discovered that it was unlikely that ‘Shifra and Puah’ were individuals – the real characters, it could be argued, were Moses’ mother Yocheved, his sister Miriam and/or his sister-in-law, Elisheva wife of Aaron. I have used the three aforementioned names in the tracery, reinforced by images of the East – the sun, pyramids and date palms – surmounting the image of humanity on their trek to the Holy Land.
In the church, the three main lights are viewed at eye level; with this in mind I include detail to be appreciated at close range. The Nativity is supported left and right by the Annunciation and the Visitation respectively. Aspects of Joan Greenwood’s interests and life I have woven through the lights while not detracting from these main events in Christianity.
The left light features a Hebridean sunset which I am sure would have delighted Joan Greenwood. Her interest in wildlife is symbolized in blackbirds, hedgehog, corncrake and red squirrel, while not forgetting her beloved cats. All the lights including tracery are bound by borders of vine and grape, which, along with corn sheaves complete the association with the Eucharist.
Roland Mitten together with his wife, daughter and son-in-law visited to see his windows in position in November 2024
Fr Bernhard, Barney Hearnden (churchwarden), Roland Mitten, Christophe Bondy (Chairman of the commissioning committee) and Peter Frost (Treasurer)
Very sadly Roland passed away in January 2025 and this was his last commission.
Progress
The Joan Greenwood Memorial Window Committee chose the design by Roland Mitton (Design B) for the development of the stained-glass windows and the decision was ratified by the PCC. A faculty has been granted and the windows are being constructed.
We commissioned three new stained-glass windows for the church, using part of the generous legacy from our former churchwarden Joan Greenwood OBE. The theme of the windows is closely linked to Joan Greenwood’s remarkable career as a midwife: the Nativity, the Annunciation, and the Visitation, together with the three Hebrew midwives from the book of Genesis.
Eighteen people from the British Society of Master Glass Painters, chosen by the commissioning committee, were sent a brief and invited to submit an expression of interest.
We received three alternative designs from the three artists short-listed by the commissioning committee. These designs were on display at the back of the church, to study and provide feedback to our churchwardens Eleanor and Barney. All feedback was shared with the commissioning committee, who made the recommendation on the final choice to the PCC, assisted by Jenny Scott, the Director of the Dulwich Picture Gallery.
The PCC is confident that ultimately we will have three new windows that are of lasting artistic value, enhancing the beauty and the spiritual life of St Stephens for years to come.
Click here to view the full brief for the commission
DESIGN SUBMISSION A
DESIGN SUBMISSION B
DESIGN SUBMISSION C
