Shining Light on Saint Alphege: A New Stained Glass Window for Bath Abbey Supporter Newsletter: December 2025 Welcome to the first issue of the Saint Alphege Window Supporter Newsletter. We’re so grateful for your generous support on this remarkable journey to honour Saint Alphege with a glorious new stained glass window in Bath Abbey – thank you! Read on to learn more about this exciting project, as we share updates on the Saint Alphege Window-related activities that have taken place throughout the year. If you have any questions, do get in touch with our Development Manager, Cath Foxwell, using cfoxwell@bathabbey.org.
The Saint Alphege Window More than a thousand years ago, Saint Alphege was born in Bath. A humble monk who rose to become Abbot of Bath Abbey and later Archbishop of Canterbury, before his martyrdom at the hands of Danish invaders, his life was one of courage, faith, and self-sacrifice. Bath Abbey has commissioned a contemporary stained glass window to tell the story of the city’s own saint. Neil Ireson’s remarkable design for the window can be seen above. This once-in-a-generation project will not only add new beauty to the Abbey; it will enhance worship, visitor experience, heritage interpretation and the Abbey’s Learning programme, whilst strengthening Bath Abbey’s mission and inspiring future generations with Saint Alphege’s story of hope, justice and peace. Bath Abbey has a rare opportunity to honour Alphege’s legacy where it all began and, thanks to your generous support, we have made incredible progress this year towards reaching our fundraising goal and shining new light on Saint Alphege. Read on to find out more…
To find out more and donate to the Saint Alphege Window Appeal, visit us online at www.bathabbey.org/alphege-appeal
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Saint Alphege: A Man of Peace and Principle Alphege was born in Bath in 953 and became Abbot (head) of the Anglo-Saxon monastery in Bath in the early 980s, before becoming Bishop of Winchester in 984 and Archbishop of Canterbury in 1006. Whilst at Winchester, Alphege had dealings with the Danish invaders who were attacking Wessex and London. In 994, King Ethelred the Unready sent Alphege to negotiate with the Danish invaders. Although the Anglo-Saxons were forced to pay tribute, one of the Danes was converted to Christianity. By 1011 the Danes had conquered much of southern England. In September, Canterbury was besieged and eventually fell. Alphege and others were imprisoned for seven months by the Danes, who demanded a ransom for their release. While ransoms were paid for the other prisoners, the sum demanded for Alphege was so enormous that he refused to pay and forbade his friends from doing so. The Danes were so infuriated that, after a drunken feast, they clubbed Alphege to death with ox bones. Alphege was venerated as a saint and martyr after his death, exemplifying Christian values of peacemaking, social justice and generosity. Image: The central section of Jane Lemon’s textile reredos (altarpiece), which can be found in Bath Abbey’s Saint Alphege Chapel, depicting Alphege standing amongst ox bones and facing a vision of the early 17 th century Abbey.
Meet the Saint Alphege Window Artist, Neil Ireson Bath Abbey has commissioned renowned stained glass artist, Neil Ireson (pictured right), to design and create the new Saint Alphege stained glass window. Neil is a Bath-based contemporary stained glass artist and painter, specialising in the creation of inspirational stained glass. Neil studied BA Fine Art (Painting) in the late 1970’s at The Central School of Art in London, where he also studied stained glass under Patrick Reyntiens OBE, followed by an MA in the History of Art at London University. With more than 35 years’ experience, Neil has established a significant reputation both in the UK and abroad for creating imaginative and beautiful artworks for a range of diverse projects in residential, ecclesiastical and commercial environments. Of his partnership with Bath Abbey, Neil says: “I’m delighted to have received this exceptional commission to create a new contemporary stained glass window in honour of Saint Alphege. The creation of the Saint Alphege Chapel’s new stained glass window is a culmination of my lifetime’s work and I’m really excited to be working with Bath Abbey, a church where I have such meaningful personal connections.” To find out more about Neil and his incredible work, visit www.neilireson.com To find out more and donate to the Saint Alphege Window Appeal, visit us online at www.bathabbey.org/alphege-appeal
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Project Progress: Creating Window Design Templates The Friends of Bath Abbey made a very generous donation to the Saint Alphege Window Appeal in the early stages of the project, enabling us to carry out vital development of the window’s design. Thanks to The Friends of Bath Abbey’s generosity, in June this year Neil Ireson and his expert team were able to undertake work known as ‘Templating’ in the Saint Alphege Chapel at Bath Abbey, working meticulously whilst navigating the towering scaffolding platform – as seen in the images below - to record precise templates of the window (pictured right).
With these detailed templates completed, Neil drafted a full-size version of his stunning design for the Saint Alphege Window - intricate creative work which required a large studio space to accommodate the vast designs, as seen in the images below.
Supporter Spotlight The Friends of Bath Abbey has been in existence for over 75 years. With members from a wide range of backgrounds and ages, The Friends all share the same aim and interest - to help preserve and enhance the Abbey's magnificent architecture and ornaments for the pleasure and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Friends of Bath Abbey Chairman, Peter LeRoy (right), with Saint Alphege Window artist, Neil Ireson.
To find out more and donate to the Saint Alphege Window Appeal, visit us online at www.bathabbey.org/alphege-appeal
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In October, over 150 guests attended a free event at Bath Abbey titled ‘Illuminating Saint Alphege: Stories in History and Glass’. Guests enjoyed a fascinating talk by Saint Alphege academic, Dr Giles Mercer, who spoke about the importance of Alphege for today’s world. Through Dr Mercer’s fascinating talk, we learned how the wisdom of a tenth-century monk could help us navigate the challenges of modern life, drawing upon Alphege’s profound insights on valuing people, courageous leadership, and the balance of inner prayer with outward action – insights as relevant today as they were a thousand years ago. Neil Ireson, the renowned stained glass artist commissioned by Bath Abbey to create the Saint Alphege Window, shared exclusive updates on his design and creative process, and Bath Abbey’s curator, Dr Cathryn Spence, introduced a brand-new exhibition in the Abbey’s Discovery Museum: ‘Lantern of the West: The History of Bath Abbey’s Stained Glass’, which guests enjoyed after the talks (pictured, below right) We were delighted to welcome Deputy Lieutenant of Somerset, Mr Suresh Ariaratnam and Deputy Mayor of Bath, Councillor Ian Halsall as our honoured guests for the evening (pictured, below left). Commissioned artist, Neil Ireson (pictured left), shares details of his creative process with guests at the “Illuminating Saint Alphege: Stories in History and Glass” event at Bath Abbey in October 2025, held under Peace Doves by Peter Walker Sculptor. Photographer credit for images left and below: Betty Bhandari.
To find out more and donate to the Saint Alphege Window Appeal, visit us online at www.bathabbey.org/alphege-appeal
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Unveiling the Updated Saint Alphege Window Design To create a new stained glass window for Bath Abbey that both honours Saint Alphege and is historically accurate in its depiction of this beloved saint, commissioned artist Neil Ireson has consulted extensively throughout the year with Alphege experts, including Dr Giles Mercer and Abbot Geoffrey Scott of Douai Abbey. This consultation process has yielded fascinating details about Saint Alphege and has led to subtle yet significant refinements to the stained glass window design, which was shared in November. For instance, through the advice of Abbot Geoffrey Scott of Douai Abbey we learned that Saint Alphege, like all monks of that time, would have been clean-shaven, fully tonsured, and wore a particular form of black habit. Neil Ireson has incorporated these historically accurate details into a refined design for the stained glass window, pictured right, ensuring Bath Abbey honours Saint Alphege with a precise and sensitive depiction. Neil has also made nuanced additions to the window’s design which communicate the richness and complexity of Saint Alphege’s story, including the inclusion of The Archbishop of Canterbury’s coat of arms, ox bones and an axe at Saint Alphege’s feet, and Viking ships in the distance. As befits Bath Abbey’s call to be A House of Prayer for all Nations, Neil has updated the window design to ensure that the border and Planet Earth are representative of all, using cutting-edge AI technology to produce non-specific creative interpretations of flags and the Earth so that no particular country is given prominence and all global citizens will feel equally welcomed to this House of Prayer.
To find out more and donate to the Saint Alphege Window Appeal, visit us online at www.bathabbey.org/alphege-appeal
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Fundraising Appeal Update Since launching our £90,000 fundraising appeal in July, we’ve received donations from so many generous people across the local and national community, including members of the Abbey’s congregation and visitors to the Abbey, Bathonians, Trusts and Foundations, and local philanthropists. At the time of writing, this wonderful community of supporters have donated £39,976 since the appeal’s launch, which is incredible! Remarkably, £6,573 has been donated in the past month alone. We are so grateful for your extraordinary generosity and enthusiastic support for the Saint Alphege Window – thank you so much. With £50,024 remaining to reach our £90,000 target, we’re thrilled to have reached the significant milestone of raising 44% of the funds needed to create the Saint Alphege Window. That’s almost halfway towards our goal, thanks to people like you who have donated so generously.
Because of your support and encouragement, the creation of a glorious new stained glass window in Bath Abbey is becoming a reality. Through your generosity, Bath Abbey will honour Saint Alphege’s legacy with a breathtakingly beautiful stained glass window, celebrating this beloved saint in the heart of the city where he was born and in the church where he was Abbot, on his path to becoming Archbishop of Canterbury.
A Message of Thanks from Revd Chantal Mason, Acting Rector of Bath Abbey “We are so grateful for your generous support of the Saint Alphege Window Appeal – thank you! Saint Alphege was a man of principle, of peace, and of remarkable moral courage; his message is as urgent and inspiring today as ever. The new stained glass window will ensure that Saint Alphege’s story is remembered and reimagined in light and colour — a visible reminder to all who enter Bath Abbey of what it means to lead with courage and live with purpose. The Saint Alphege Window will not only reflect a tribute to the past but become a symbol of what we can achieve together. Whether your interest lies in preserving sacred heritage, supporting the arts, investing in faith for the future or the cultural fabric of Bath, your support of our Saint Alphege Window Appeal matters and will become part of something truly lasting. Through your generosity, Bath Abbey will continue to be a place where history speaks and gives meaning, where beauty inspires, and community is nurtured.”
To find out more and donate to the Saint Alphege Window Appeal, visit us online at www.bathabbey.org/alphege-appeal
The Revd Chantal Mason, Acting Rector of Bath Abbey
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Supporting the Saint Alphege Window Appeal As we seek to honour Saint Alphege through an extraordinary new piece of Christian art, if it is within your means to donate once again to the Saint Alphege Window Appeal, we would be so grateful for your support. With £50,024 to raise to meet our fundraising target, every donation – large or small – will help illuminate Bath Abbey with new light, honouring our past and shaping our future. Your support will enable Bath Abbey to create the Saint Alphege Window – celebrating Alphege within our lifetimes as a vitally important figure in the history of Bath Abbey and the city of Bath, whilst communicating Alphege’s timeless message of peace, generosity and justice hundreds of years from now, to the generations that will follow us. All donations will be deeply appreciated and acknowledged with a personalised message of thanks, regular updates on the project, and invitations to special events at the Abbey. For a confidential discussion regarding your support, please contact our Development Manager, Cath Foxwell, using cfoxwell@bathabbey.org or Tel: 01225 303314 (Direct Line).
How to Support the Saint Alphege Window Appeal Donate Online You can donate now online at bathabbey.org/alphege-appeal and choose to make a Gift Aid Contribution, which enables us to receive an extra 25p for every £1 you give, at no additional cost to you. Donate by Cheque Donations by cheque should be made out to ‘Bath Abbey PCC’ with the reference ‘Alphege’ written on the back of the cheque. Please include a covering note that provides your name and contact details, so we can get in touch to thank you. Cheques should be posted to: Bath Abbey Finance Team, Bath Abbey Office, 9 Kingston Buildings, Bath BA1 1LT. Donate by Bank Transfer Please contact our Accounts Team using accounts@bathabbey.org for details on how to donate by direct transfer. Scan the QR Code to Donate
To find out more and donate to the Saint Alphege Window Appeal, visit us online at www.bathabbey.org/alphege-appeal
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Wishing you a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year
We do hope you’ve enjoyed this update on the Saint Alphege Window, a remarkable vision of faith and creativity which is coming to life through your generous support. We’re so grateful to have your company and encouragement on this exciting journey to create a new stained glass window at Bath Abbey, honouring the beloved Saint Alphege. If you have any questions regarding this newsletter or the Saint Alphege Window, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Do just get in touch with Cath Foxwell, our Development Manager, using cfoxwell@bathabbey.org or Tel: 01225 303314 (Direct Line).
With sincere good wishes for a joyous Christmas and a peaceful New Year, from the team at Bath Abbey
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REGISTERED OFFICE: The Abbey Office, 9 Kingston Buildings, Bath BA1 1LT TEL: 01225 422462 EMAIL: office@bathabbey.org WEB: www.bathabbey.org Charity registration number: 1134081 To find out more and donate to the Saint Alphege Window Appeal, visit us online at www.bathabbey.org/alphege-appeal
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