Holy Trinity Church’s £1m project to restore medieval stained glass reaches halfway mark, preserving unique historical collection.
The church started fundraising five years ago. Cathedral Studios in Canterbury helps them with this restoration project. The stained glass survived damage from long ago, including vandalism during war and other changes. Pollution and weather also harmed the windows.
Simon Edge, a church committee member, said the difference the restoration makes is amazing. He emphasized the importance of protecting the remaining glass, considering most English glass got destroyed back then. Their Long Melford collection is very special.
These portraits of important people date back to the 1400s. They exist nowhere else in England like this. Restoring them displays their beauty and saves them for future generations.
These windows matter nationally because of their unique art. They show family and friends, not Bible stories. John Clopton built the church, and he appears in the windows as well and one of his U.S. descendants even donated money to the project.
The church made a guide and coloring book to explain the window figures better. Simon Edge also noted local interest grew as people in Long Melford learned more history. They raised the window’s profile through talks, pamphlets, and signs, hoping more folks will love the windows, one thing making Long Melford cool, and people donated after learning more.