Sites and Monument Record: Bothkennar Parish Church stained glass (SMR 2178)

Description
Left of pulpit.
The window to the left as you look at the pulpit is the War Memorial for those of the parish who fell in WW2. Jesus is shown on the Cross with the words “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY” in the outer border of the arch of the window. The cross is pale blue with a purple outline. Within the upper arm above the head of Christ is a dove with outstretched wings plummeting downwards, and in the podium is a winged angel holding a chalice. Jesus wears a red loin cloth with a white fringe, and on his head is placed a crown of thorns. His body appears in grey with his ribs and muscles picked out in detail. The background is composed of striated pieces of bluish glass producing a shimmering light. To either side, in the background, are the Greek letters alpha and omega - and in the border a small figure of an angel kneeling in prayer. The bottom of the border is coloured red and the sides contain “heraldic” style geometric devices.
Artist: Douglas Hamilton (1895 -1959)

Right of pulpit.
The window to the right of the pulpit is dedicated to William and Helen Sutherland of Stonehouse and was commissioned by the Sutherland Family in 1962. Christ stands facing outwards with his right hand raised in blessing, his left hand holds aloft a crude wooden cross tied together with cloth. The angle of the cross is symmetrically matched by rays of bright light emanating from Christ’s right shoulder. His purple halo is transformed upwards into a pointed flame from which rises a phoenix. Above are the words “NOW IS CHRIST RISEN”. On either side of his feet is a helmeted soldier bearing a spear. The clear plain background contrasts with the brightly coloured figures and is framed by a shield-shaped narrow pale blue border. The window is signed “FELIX glass/ 1965”.
Artist: Felix McCullough, c1965.

East wall.
1968: Stained glass memorial window for Elizabeth Clerk MacLaren who died at Bothkennar Manse in February 1968, the gift of the congregation.
Mary sits in the centre in heavy blue robes and a head scarf holding the baby Jesus on her lap. To her left is one of the kings wearing rich robes, sporting a tall gold crown and carrying a decorated golden casket with a ball finial. On the other side is a shepherd in plain robes holding an angular purple crook in his right hand and a sheep in the crook of his arms. Two more sheep stand at his feet. Above Mary’s head a descending dove appears in a star burst with angels on either side.
In the arch and angel addresses the kneeling Mary “THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH”. The text continues on the lower panel below the main scene “+AND.DWELT AMONG US AND+/ KNOW YE/ NOT THAT/ I MUST BE/ ABOUT MY/ FATHER’S/ BUSINESS/ THIS IS MY/ BELOVED/ SON IN WHOM/ I AM WELL PLEASED/ +WE BEHOLD HIS GLORY GLORY AS OF THE ONLY+/ BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH+”. To either side of these words is a vignette, that on the left showing Mary and six men; on the right a young man carrying a pennant of St George in his left hand, with his right hand placed on the head of John the Baptist who stands in a river.
The biblical text is taken from John 1.14, with parts of Luke 2.49 and Matthew 3.17 interposed.
Attributed to Felix McCullough.