Faith, Hope and Charity, Lichfield Cathedral, by William Wailes

Faith, Hope and Charity

William Wailes

1865

Nave

This is one of Wailes's more narrative-style windows, with much happening, and all in his typical clear, bright colours. On the left is the dramatic episode in which Jesus helps Peter who has come towards him on the Sea of Galillee, but has started sinking because of his fear of the gale. Jesus both encourages and rebukes him, telling him, "Oh thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" (Matthew 14:31). An awed disciple watches from the boat — and an angel looks up from the lower panel. [More commentary and images below.]

The middle light depicts the Presentation in the Temple, with Simeon holding the infant Jesus, and the prophetess Anna looking on. The angel below this scene bears a text reading "Rejoicing in Hope." The light on the right-hand side shows the parable of the Good Samaritan, who has stopped to attend to the man robbed and wounded by thieves, and left by the roadside. Others pass by, but the Samaritan's horse waits quietly beside him as he ministers to the victim, pouring some soothing oil on his wounds. Soon he will help him on his own horse, and take him to an inn to be cared for. As shown above, the angel below the scene bears a scroll reading "Charity Never Faileth" (1 Corinthians, 13: 8).

Left to right; (a) Jesus with Peter on the Sea of Galilee. (b) The Presentation in the Temple. (c) The Good Samaritan.

Photographs by Colin Price, and text and formatting by Jacqueline Banerjee. The photographs are reproduced here by kind permission of the Chapter of Lichfield Cathedral. Many thanks to Pat Scaife. who identified the window's designer for me, and whose book about the cathedral's stained glass is listed below. Click on the images to enlarge them.

Material related to Lichfield Cathedral and its stained glass

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