A Memorial to the Global COVID Pandemic
The Global COVID-19 Pandemic has made an enormous impact on all our lives. To date, nearly 129,000 people have died in the UK alone. This is more than double the civilian deaths in the Second World War. Sadly, we have lost members of our own community to the virus, including members of St Martin’s Church.
The history of the church is that our buildings are places of remembrance and hope. In 2021 The Parochial Church Council at St Martin’s, East Horsley agreed that there should be a lasting memorial in the church to remember this time. The PCC decided that the windows in the North Transept will be replaced with stained glass windows which will stand as a lasting memorial. Although the windows do not necessarily speak of COVID we hope that their presence will serve to remind us of the loss of life in our community, the sacrifices made by so many people in our country, the outpouring of friendship and care which speaks of hope for the future. The hope, we as Christians find in Jesus Christ.
Our chosen designer was Derek Hunt http://limelightstudios.co.uk/. His work can be found in churches and cathedrals throughout the country.
At the end of August 2023 the money was raised and an order has been placed. The windows were installed on 13/13th May 2024.
All are welcome to St Martin’s to see this wonderful addition to our church.
The church is open Tuesday to Sunday 9.00am – 4.00pm.
ARTIST’S DESIGN STATEMENT
The design is an uplifting celebration of the history and significance of St Martin’s Church to the local community and the contribution it continues to make to the lives of all within the parish. In approaching this design, I wanted to bring the elements suggested by our community engagement over the past few months, including the hope of regeneration after the pandemic, protecting our environment, and looking to the future with optimism and hope.
Using the symbol of the English Oak Tree, I have developed a design which speaks of steadfastness in the face of adversity, of regeneration, recovery and of growth and renewal through the Christian virtues of Faith, Hope and Love. I also wanted to reference and celebrate the sense of place, as well as reflecting the nurturing care and compassion of the parish of St Martin’s Church.
The central section of this contemporary design contains the suggestion of an oak tree, surrounded by decorative symbols of growth and renewal, in the form of plants and seeds. The bottom of the design contains a decorative frieze reflecting the ornate brickwork of the adjacent Lovelace Mausoleum, in celebration of the many buildings of this style in the community. The upper right section of the design contains binary code spelling out Saint Martin in memory of the huge contribution Ada Lovelace made to the invention of computer code. The central top windows contain the inscription ‘They will be called Oaks of Righteousness, planted by the Lord to Glorify Him ( Isaiah 61:3) and the words Faith, Hope and Love are central to each triptych. There are small animals secreted within the design of the lower frieze; below the word FAITH is a lamb to represent faith in Christ, below the word HOPE is a Goldfinch, to represent the hope of resurrection, and below the word LOVE is a Pelican, to represent the Love of Christ.
The panels are fabricated in a combination of handmade antique glass, with acid etching and hand-painted details, bonded to a background glass which would still allow the details of the trees beyond to be visible.
This contemporary design is an uplifting and life-affirming celebration of the timeless virtues of Faith, Hope and love in the face of adversity and reflects the values and history of the local community.
Derek Hunt
