THE WINDOWS
All the images on this page have been electronically corrected to remove perspective distortion, as a result the aspect ratios of the windows may not be completely accurate.
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This window, depicting the good shepherd and the good Samaritan is in the north wall of the chancel in memory of Thomas Lowe, vicar from 1850 - 1887.
The window in the south wall of the chancel is in memory of Harriet Lowe, wife of Thomas Lowe.
The window below is above the pulpit in the southern wall. It was given in thanksgiving for the deliverance of the village, and that no lives were lost when a bomb hit the home of Mr & Mrs Strange, who presented the window to the church. The inscription reads "From the arrow that flyeth by day", St Paul is the subject and the trials he overcame through shipwreck and imprisonment.
The window below is the war memorial window. The lower part shows the Downs and Tas Combe with trees of 'Babylon'. Members of the armed forces are depicted kneeling, while above Willingdon, is a vision telling of the redemption of the world by Christ. From left to right the store unfolds: " God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son ..."/ We see the Virgin with the child Jesus. The second panel is Christ crucified while the third shows the risen Christ ascending to the Father, carrying the banner of victory. The fourth panel declares Christ's continuing presence through the sacrament of Holy Communion.
The window below is the first on the south wall next to the door. It is dedicated as a thank offering for the deliverance of the church i wartime. It depicts the Virgin Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth. It was designed by Sir Ninian Comper in his 84th year, the cost met by parish subscription.
The east window was designed by Christopher Webb. The inscription reads "To the Glory of God and in memory of a beloved brother and sister, Lionel Edwin Charles and Mary Handson. In Thy presence is the fullness of joy." Dr Lionel Handson practised in Polegate from 1909 - 1923.
The central panel depicts Christ in Glory. Underneath is Emmaeus and the inscription "He who died rose again was recognised by two disciples in breaking the bread."
The south panel shows St Wilfird, Archbishop of York (634 - 709). When Wilfrid was persecuted by the King of Northumbria he became a fugitive in Sussex. Here he found people suffering from famine, the result of three years of drought. Wilfred gained their good will by teaching them to fish. St Wilfrid is carrying a pastoral staff and a fishing net containing a fish and a crab. He wears the Eucharistic vestments. Beneath him are ears of corn and a bunch of grapes, symbols of Holy Communion.
The north panel shows St Richard of Wych, Bishop of Chichester (1244 - 1253). He enjoyed walking across Sussex talking to people and teaching them the faith. He is wearing a cope and mitre and is blessing a poor peasant woman and a child. Beneath him is a symbol of Holy Baptism - water and the spirit: "One Lord, One faith, One baptism."
This double window depicting a very athletic looking St Michael slaying a dragon is in the north wall. It is in memory of Laura Dixon (1947) and of Robert Dixon (1949). My favourite window in the church - the colours are amazing.
The window to the west of the one above also contains coloured glass depicting St George and St Christopher, but viewing was not possible as it was blocked by a large display board and is also not well lit owing to the presence of a modern vestry on the other side of the wall.
I also somehow managed to omit to photograph the windows in the Ratton Chapel (east end of the north aisle). The one in the north wall is in memory of Arthur Goring Thomas and depict King David and St Cecilia. The eastern window is made of six panels of heraldic glass from 1622. The Coats of Arms illustrate the family connections with the Parkers by marriage.
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