Stella Maris - Our Lady Star of The Sea
St. Winifreds, Neston, Wirral

The Window is designed for the next millenium. It portrays the elements connected with our seas and oceans - water, air, light, earth, the heavens, the creatures which inhabit the waters and most of all, the people who "do business in great waters", for sailors have a great love and a great respect for the sea. Our lady is shown surrounded by the elements, protecting herself with the collar of her cloak drawn up to her chin. She acts as a guardian to those whose life is spent on the world's oceans and she is surrounded by the creatures and objects surrounded with the sea.

Stella Maris Window

Our Lady acts as a beacon in more ways than one. This century we have exploited our natural assets more than ever before. If we do not come to terms with our responsibility for our world we are in danger of causing irreparable damage to our environment. Our Lady reminds us of the wonders of our God given world. She shows concern and offers a note of caution to us all.

At the point at which one looks left to the chapel, the upper part of this design has a breadth and impact to capture the attention of the viewer from a distance. With light shining through the lighthouse beam, attention is immediately drawn to Our Lady. When closer to the window, the wealth of detail around her feet gives a jewel like variety of colour which sparkles with light. With sun shining from that side of the church, the window becomes alive as light changes. It is also possible to illuminate the window at night with exterior spots.

The window has attracted interest from a wide variety of people. Comissioned by a seafarer, it alludes to the importance of Our Lady as protector. Children have always been captivated by the variety of sea-life, a factor which reminds us of the location of the Church, on the banks of the River Dee near to the old fishing villages of Neston and Parkgate.

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