Stained glass window returned to York church

This is the third window to be protected for York’s All Saints North Street, which is home to one of the finest collections of medieval glass in a parish church across Europe

A stained glass window featuring nativity scene from 1330 has been returned to York church amid restoration project.

This is the third window to be protected for York’s All Saints North Street, which is home to one of the finest collections of medieval glass in a parish church across Europe.

Church campaigners have worked tirelessly for a decade in securing funds and, they said watching it come to fruition, will be ‘wonderful’.

David Titchener, chair of The Friends of All Saints, said these windows, having survived centuries against the elements, must be preserved and protected for more to come. It’s remarkable, the condition they’re in, considering they’ve been exposed to the elements all these years, the wind and snow and rain.

They survived through medieval and Victorian times, with soot and grime. Now this work is designed to preserve these windows for future generations, to protect them against the elements, he said. It’s going to be lovely when it’s finished.

All Saints Church has one of finest 14th and 15th century collections surviving in Europe, with 13 windows in all to be repaired and wrapped in protective glass.

Work is being undertaken at the city’s Barley Studio, under specialists Keith Barley and Alison Gilchrist with a team of conservators, artists, glaziers and metalworkers.

The three-year project, funded by grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, began in earnest a year ago with the third piece, the east window in the church’s Lady Chapel, now returned.

This is the oldest window in the church, dated 1330, and was once above the high alter. Within its panels are nativity scenes, including depictions of the three wise men and angel Gabriel.