The Stained Glass Windows
The thirteen modern stained glass windows in the Old Girls' Chapel feature the work of Wellington designer Beverley Shore Bennett MBE, FMGP whose work features in churches and chapels around the country, including Wellington Cathedral. Geraldine glass-artist, Stephen Bélanger Taylor ARCA, RCA, FMGP whose work has been commissioned in Canada, France, USA and New Zealand translated the designs into stained glass using materials sourced from Europe.
Initially the chapel had plain frosted glass windows. It was four years before the first stained glass windows - the six lancet windows in the nave - were installed, as the College had to wait in line until the artists completed other commissions.
The lancet windows encapsulate Christian and College traditions in symbols and are surrounded by different Celtic patterns in the colours of each of the College's houses.
Following an enthusiastic response from College supporters, two windows were installed in the foyer and one on the stairway landing.
The foyer windows, symbolising Faith, Hope and Love refer to the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians. Two rose windows, at either end of the Chapel, show the life of St Cuthbert on one and a stylised Celtic cross of St Cuthbert on the other.
In 2000 the final two windows in the counselling room were installed.
Stephen Belanger-Taylor, ARCA, RCA, FMGP
Artist Stephen was born in Suitey, England. He received a broad art training at the Wimbledon School of Art, which included a three year major in painting and stained glass.
This was Followed by a three year scholarship to the School of Stained Glass at the Royal College of Art.
In 1968 he emigrated to Canada and was a lecturer in design and painting at McMaster University.
He was then Artist in Residence, Hamish College, Toronto and in 1973, lecturer in stained glass and still life drawing at Georgian College, Ontario.
Stephen’s work has been commissioned in Canada, Great Britain, France, U.S.A. and New Zealand. He has had numerous television, radio and film interviews, been included in many books, the most recent being New Zealand: The Millenium.
Emigrating to New Zealand in 1995, Stephen established a glass studio in Geraldine. In collaboration with Beverley Shore Bennett, he has accepted commissions for stained glass windows in twenty one New Zealand churches and chapels from 1990- 2000.
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Stephen in August 2009.
Beverly Shore Bennett, MBE, FMGP
Born in Wellington and educated at Samuel Marsden Collegiate, Beverly is a past member of the College's Trust Board. After attending the Wellington Art School, she studied at the Bryan Shaw School of Drawing and Painting in London.
While in England she exhibited in several galleries including the Royal Academy.
Beverley's involvement with stained glass began with the Holm window in Wellington Cathedral in 1970. Examples of her exceptional ecumenical designing talents can be seen in many churches and chapels in New Zealand.
Her book, A Key to Embroidery, was published in 1974.
In 1977 a church window, which she had designed, was featured on the Christmas stamp.
Beverley is the only woman fellow of the British Society of Master Glass Painters in New Zealand.
The fIrst lay Canon in the Wellington Diocese, she was awarded an MBE in 1980.