This is the third in a new series of blogs by Historic Coventry Trust’s research volunteers. The blogs will reveal stories about people and events connected with our properties.
Elizabeth Yardley volunteers as a researcher, guide, and choir leader with Historic Coventry Trust and is passionate about the city’s heritage.
The east stained glass window at the Anglican Chapel
Coventry has many examples of fine stained glass both medieval and modern in its churches and cathedrals, but did you know that the Anglican Chapel in London Road Cemetery has a particularly fine window by an eminent and prolific stained glass artist called Christopher Webb?
When the cemetery was opened in 1847, the east window had stained glass, not described at the time, and a rose window at the west end. In October 1935 a Coventry woman called Alice Hannah Buckley died. Her husband was Joseph Luther Buckley a Coventry business man. They married in 1906 and did not have children. Although resident in Kenilworth at the time of her death Alice was interred at London Road Cemetery on October 4th . Alice left a bequest to the cemetery explained in this newspaper article of 1936:
NEW WINDOWS IN CEMETERY CHAPEL COVENTRY WOMAN’S BEQUEST
Three new stained glass windows, which enhance the beauty of the Anglican chapel in the London Road Cemetery, were dedicated on Tuesday by the Provost of Coventry (the Very Rev. R. T. Howard). The cost of the windows was provided through a bequest by the late Mrs. Alice Hannah Buckley, a member of an old Coventry family, three generations of whom are laid to rest in the Cemetery. She desired to do something in their memory to improve and brighten the Cemetery Chapel in the hope that it might act as an inspiration to those who assemble there. The gloomy effect of the coloured glass windows in the east wall has now been removed, as a result of consultation between the Baths and Parks Committee, Mr. Buckley, and the Provost, who decided that the bequest could best be used in the provision of new glass. The central window consists of a striking figure of the risen Christ, almost life size and naked save for a loin cloth. The figure is holding a pennant, and is in the act of benediction. The two side windows consist of roundels. The artist is Mr. Christopher Webb, of St. Albans, an eminent stained glass expert, and although this is the first window that he has designed for Coventry, his brother, Mr. Geoffrey Webb*, recently completed a window scheme for the South Choir aisle of Holy Trinity Church. For some time past Church of England people in Coventry have felt that the interior of the chapel should be made brighter and more beautiful. ‘ November 13th Coventry Herald 1936
A scene depicting Christ’s ascension is an appropriate image for a mortuary chapel in a cemetery where many of the memorials celebrate the life to come in God’s kingdom. The central figure is Christ ascending, carrying his rallying pennant in the act of benediction. His feet rest on two blue cherubs in the starry firmament, probably the constellation Orion which is associated with Christ. These images can be seen in both medieval and later depictions of the ascension of Christ.
The side roundels feature the Arma Christi, the arms of Christ, or Passion Shields comprising items from Christ’s crucifixion. Left, the sponge and the spear which pierced Christ’s side, right, the crown of thorns and nails that entered his hands and feet.
Christopher’s signature motif of St. Christopher is pictured on a window at St. Albans from 1963. It is said that he only signed windows that he was pleased with. The motif is absent on The Anglican Chapel window which is not found in the catalogue of his work, so was he dissatisfied with this window?
A plaque commemorating Alice Buckley’s gift is to the right of the window with the words “This window was given by Alice Buckley nee Walsgrove to the memory of her own parents and those of her husband Joseph Buckley whose earthly remains were laid to rest in this cemetery. Glory to God on the Highest.”
Alice Buckley was born Alice Hannah Walsgrove in Coventry in 1872 and baptised at St. John the Baptist Church. She is described as a Fancy Drapers Assistant in the censuses before her marriage. Her husband Joseph died on 26 September 1935 and they are buried together.
Alice’s late father Arthur Walsgrove had died aged 91 in 1927 and could be described as a Coventry character. Arthur left Bablake School to be apprenticed as a watch finisher and in 1849 had witnessed the last public hanging in Coventry. He was a Freemason and as of 1909 was the oldest Freeman of Coventry still living and had been an employee of Rotherham’s watch makers’ for more than 60 years, having been a commercial traveller and later company secretary. He and his wife Hannah, nee Bates, had celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1909, congratulated by King Edward VII via Lord Knollys.
Alice’s grandfather William Walsgrove was born in Baginton and worked as a gardener then a cow keeper/dairy man/ milk man. He had been interred in London Road Cemetery in 1882 and her grandmother Mary nee Tranter in 1886.
Sources: Wikipedia, online references to Geoffrey & Christopher Webb, British Newspaper Archives, London Road Burial Records,(thanks to Barbara Griffiths), Derek Robinson and my own photographs of the Anglican Chapel.
*Geoffrey Webb (1879-1954) created the Littlewood Memorial Window in Coventry’s Holy Trinity in 1933.
