Saint Aubin On The Hill

The Wedding Feast At Cana

A very large window divided into four lights, surmounted by one large eight-lobed window, two smaller six-lobed windows and one small roundel. The wedding feast is depicted across four panels.

The first, left, shows four apostles, looking inwards towards Christ in the second panel. Behind, servants are waiting at table, one of them carrying a peacock on a platter.

In the second panel, Christ, seated, is blessing the water in three polychrome jars. Below two angels play stringed instruments.

The third panel shows Mary addressing her son. In the background, bride and groom sit at table. The fourth panel depicts two seated musicians with the steward of the feast standing nearby. The parents of the bride are in the background and a servant stands bearing a peacock fan.

Above the four lights, the large lobed window shows an angel in a purple robe, seated on a rainbow against a background of grapes and vine leaves, with the text: “Ye sun and moon, bless ye the Lord.”

The small left-hand window shows another angel with red and blue wings holding the text: “O ye showers and dew, bless ye the Lord.”

The right-hand window depicts a very striking angel with purple wings, wearing a yellow robe. The scroll bears the words: “O ye ice and snow, bless ye the Lord.”

The small roundel at the heart of the whole window depicts a brilliant sun.

• Position: Filling the west gable
• Biblical ref: John 2, vv.1-11
• Signature: H.T. Bosdet 1900
• Memorial inscription: "To the Glory of God and in Memory of George Balleine, born October 2nd 1809, died October 3rd 1898"

Aidan Smith observes “A very rich composition in the pre-Raphaelite manner, which gave Bosdet an opportunity to show off his talents as a draughtsman. It is notable for the balance of the design and the sumptuousness of the dress and the feast. The figures are superbly drawn, in particular the Virgin Mary, full of solicitude for her host and his guests. The garments and wings of the angels in the smaller windows are particularly vibrant. Their faces are exquisitely painted and the image of an angel seated on a rainbow in the top window is particularly striking. Arguably, this is the finest of Bosdet’s larger windows in Jersey.”

Footnote: The top window depicting an angel seated on a rainbow inspired the title to Aidan’s guide and in turn The Glass Rainbow Trust.

St Helier · St Magloire

A double window with St Helier on the left and St Magloire on the right. Helier, bearded and in profile, wears a royal blue robe and holds a rod surmounted by a cross. On his belt hangs the hermit’s water gourd. The background is a beautiful and intricate pattern of foliage in green, blue and white. The window bears the legend: “St Helerius, martyr, a Wandalis in hac insula occisus est” (St Helier, martyr, was killed in this Island by the Vandals).

Below, a smaller panel shows Helier asleep with his hand on the cross. A Vandal towers over him with sword raised high while, in the background, other Vandals wait near a dragon-headed boat with sail unfurled.

In the right-hand window, St Magloire stands full face, wearing episcopal vestments, with crozier in one hand and a small model of a church in the other (the symbol of a confessor, a saint who has not suffered martyrdom). The background is similar to the St Helier panel. The window bears the legend: “Sanctus Maglorius Episcopus et Confessor in hac insula mortuus est” ( St Magloire, Bishop and Confessor, died in this Island).

The small panel below depicts the Saint in white deacon’s vestments, holding a wooden cross and preaching to the islanders. A boat rides the waves in the background.

Above the two lights there is a small panel showing heraldic arms quartered with shells, horizontal bars and eagles’ heads (armorial bearings of the Marrett family).

• Position: Chancel end of south wall
• Signature: H.T. Bosdet, Grove Park Terrace, Chiswick, London
• Memorial inscription: "A la Gloire de Dieu et en mémoire d’Anne Elizabeth Marrett, Dame du Franc Fief, née le 20 mars 1822, décédée le 2 novembre 1905"

St Peter · The Good Shepherd

A window with two lights. The left light shows St Peter holding a boat hook, standing in front of the mast and red sail of a boat. He is wearing a blue robe and a white and deep yellow cloak. Above him are the crossed keys, symbol of St Peter, and below a scroll bearing the words of Christ, “I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4, verse 19).

The light on the right represents the Good Shepherd. Jesus stands in white, blue and red robes, carrying a lamb on his right arm and holding a shepherd’s crook in his left hand. Sheep graze in the background. Above him is a gold crown in a wreath of blue glass and, below, a scroll with the words, “I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10, verse 14).

Below each light are decorative panels of glass with stylised roses at their centre.

Above the two lights, in a small tri-lobed panel, an angel bears a scroll with the words which Jesus addressed to Peter, “Feed my sheep” (John 21, verse 17).

• Position: South wall
• Biblical ref: Matthew 16, vv. 13 -19, and John 10, vv. 1 - 18
• Signature: None. The minutes of the Ecclesiastical Court, dated 18th January 1926, attribute this window to Henry Thomas Bosdet.
• Memorial inscription: "To the Glory of God and in loving memory of John Peter Hamon, Master Mariner and of Anne Weary, his wife, also of their children, Percy and Flora, this window is erected by their surviving children, Walter, Edith and Ella, AD 1926"