About this piece
back to topA fantastic pair of 2.1m tall religious stained glass windows designed by early 20th century stained glass manufacturers, Atkinson Brothers of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (signed), and manufactured by Hartley Wood & Co Glass Works.
These spectacular antique stained glass panels once resided in the North Transept window of the former Thornhill Methodist Church, Sunderland (renamed the Burn Park Methodist Church, Sunderland). The church was built in 1902-1903 by TR Millburn and JE Miller, who later went on to build Sunderland’s Empire Theatre which opened in 1907.
In recent years, the church was sold, deconsecrated and the stained glass windows carefully removed. These are two such lancet windows from the removal.
Both windows are of a matching style, depicting an evangelical figure before a sanguine-red archway and foliate background, with Gothic architectural borders and ogee panel to the top. The leftmost figure is John the Apostle, also known as St. John, with locks of blonde hair; the other is one of the three remaining Evangelists – St. Mark, St. Matthew or St. Luke – with a beard and moustache. Both figures hold a book and a quill.
With their vibrant colours, tall scale and unique provenance, these antique stained glass windows will make a striking statement in any property, telling their story for years to come.
Atkinson Brothers Stained Glass
Brothers William, Frederick and Albert Atkinson established Atkinson Bros on New Bridge Street, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in 1876. Designers of stunning stained glass windows, the brothers soon became one of the most well-known stained glass makers in the North East of England.
Examples of their work can still be found in Newcastle Cathedral, Hexham Abbey and other ecclesiastical buildings of the region to this very day. Works have even been exported as far as Australia.
Some of the firm’s most notable commissions came during the 1920s when memorial windows were made following the First World War.
Following the death of two the founding brothers, Albert Atkinson sold the business to Reed Millican in early 1930s.
