Edinburgh: St. John the Evangelist Scottish Episcopal Church, North Nave

St Peter at the Gates of Heaven, Jesus Christ welcoming the children and the Pilgrimage of the faithful.

Window of three lights arranged in two stages with tracery.

This window depicts St Peter at the gates of heaven (Lancet 1), Jesus welcoming the children (Lancet 2), and the pilgrimage of the faithful (Lancet 3).

Inscription:
Upper stage:
Lancet 1:
‘Knock and it shall be opened unto you.’
‘Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching…’
Lancet 2:
‘…of such is the kingdom of Heaven...’
Lancet 3:
‘…if any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’

Lower stage:

‘Having a desire to depart and be with Christ which is far better.’

Dedication:
‘To the memory of Charles Hay Forbes and his children Emilia and Emma. He departed 5th Nove. 1859 they went before 5th Aug and 29th Oct. 1849. ‘

(Charles Hay Forbes, Banker 1806-1859)

This window was installed in July 1860 during the 4th installation of windows.

Information provided by St. John’s Episcopal Church and Leslie Hodgson.

Firm/Company:
Ballantine and Allan
James Ballantine and Son: (James: 1808-1877, Alexander: 1841-1906, James: 1878-1940) The founder James, was born in Edinburgh. He was apprenticed to a house painter as a young man and had few advantages in the way of education. He later campaigned for the education of apprentices beyond the craft/trade they were learning. He also mixed paints as a young man for David Roberts, a scenic artist at the Theatre Royal. He continued by apprenticing in Stained Glass and established his own business with George Allan in 1837. James was out spoken in leading the Stained Glass design aesthetic in Scotland and was incredibly prolific. His son Alexander took over the firm in 1877, he then trained his son James, who took over the firm in 1906.