Stained glass tribute to town 'bishop' Terry

They are usually reserved for saints and Bible stories, but a congregation loved one of their members so much that a stained glass window has been created in his memory.

Terry Bunn's pets, some of his favourite places to visit and a patron saint are all among the delightful features on the window at Christ Church in Blakenall.

The late lay chairman of the Anglican Deanery of Walsall died in August 2008.

He died unexpectedly at his home in Pelsall, just days before his 65th birthday.

The window depicts aspects of his life including images of his beloved Jack Russell Eddie and black cat Thelma.

Mr Bunn, who lived in Charles Crescent, was a member of the Order of St Francis and an image of the patron saint for animals forms the centrepiece of the colourful window which is designed in three sections.

The left panel includes an image of The Our Lady of Walsingham Shrine in Norfolk which was among his favourite places to visit.

Mr Bunn had organised annual pilgrimages to the shrine in Norfolk and last weekend a new bench with a plaque was installed there in his memory at a dedication ceremony.

A bishops' mitre can also be seen in the window which is a reference to his nickname "the Bishop of Walsall" affectionately given to him by former Bishop of Lichfield the Right Reverend Keith Sutton.

The window was a gift to the church from the Bunn family who commissioned artists Noel, Aiden and Ben Sinclair, of Norgrove Studios near Redditch, to design and install it.

Brother Ray, 77, of Old Town Lane, Pelsall, said: "Before Terry died he told one of our relatives he would like a family memorial to be placed in the church. We thought a stained glass window would be a fitting tribute."

Mr Bunn continued his church work with enthusiasm, despite being born without the full use of one arm and suffering illness in his life including skin cancer. In 2007 he became the first person to be honoured by the Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill, with a lifetime award.