An unexpected message from Sweden has revealed a rather wonderful connection with St Tysilio’s Church.
We have recently been contacted by a priest in Örebro who is helping to prepare a new book about Olaus Petri Church in the city. He was particularly interested in one of the treasures of St Tysilio’s: our magnificent west window, designed around 1890 by the Swedish artist Carl Almquist.
Almquist was born in Örebro in 1848 but spent his professional life in Britain, becoming one of the leading designers for the celebrated stained glass firm Shrigley & Hunt. He later designed windows for churches back in his native city, including Olaus Petri Church. Now, more than a century later, researchers in Örebro have traced that story back to this little church beside the Dee and have asked to include our window in their forthcoming book.
And the timing of their message seems especially appropriate.
The window is alive with angels. At its summit is the Lamb of God surrounded by seraphim, while below, angelic figures accompany young women singing and making music. With the Feast of St Michael and All Angels approaching on 29 September, it seems a particularly fitting moment to look again at something we perhaps too easily walk past.
The window was given in memory of Gertrude Edwards of Trevor Hall, who died in 1890 aged just 22 and lies buried in St Tysilio’s churchyard. Her figure appears within the glass beside the words of Simeon:
“Mine eyes have seen thy salvation.”
A beautiful thread connecting Llantysilio and Örebro, Wales and Sweden, through faith, memory, music, angels and light.
