Wednesbury church's stained glass window saved after £13,000 grant

Stone surrounding the 'Woden' window at St Bartholomew's Church in Wednesbury started to crumble in recent years – putting the historic stained glass at risk.

The Grade II-listed church, which dates back to the 11th Century, needed a cash injection to help the upkeep of the window.

Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust and other charitable trusts, public and private donors clubbed together to raise the £30,000 needed to keep the window in pristine condition.

The window depicts the coming of Christianity to Wednesbury and was a gift to the church from the people of the town in 1904.

The church celebrated the refurbishment with a concert featuring the Walsall Symphony Orchestra.

It has 15 rare stained glass windows, designed by Charles Eamer Kempe, that are held in place by stone mullions.

When the mullions holding the ‘Woden’ window started to deteriorate, the church found it was in need of support itself.

Churchwarden Donald Griffiths said: "We began an appeal to raise the funds needed to make urgent repairs to the mullions.

"As they continued to deteriorate they began to let in water and threatened the structure of the wall as well as the valuable window.

"ICET was one of the trusts who very kindly responded to the appeal and we were very grateful when it agreed to contribute so generously to the costs of the repair and refurbishment.

"Its grant, together with other funds raised from the appeal, has ensured the future survival of our most historic window.”

The £30,000 project included removing and renovating the window, repairing and replacing the perished areas of mullions and stonework, and the fixing of metal window security guards.

Angela Haymonds, secretary of ICET, said: "The trustees were pleased to help preserve the heritage of this important church, and save its valuable 'Woden' window.

"We hope people will enjoy the celebratory concert and take some time to experience all the beautiful Victorian windows."