Ecclesiastical Windows/Modern Stained Glass
The definition of stained glass has broadened over the years and is no longer solely associated with cut mouth-blown glass pieces set into lead came. Modern stained glass is now a generic term for various contemporary glass installations in architecture.
In both modern and original religious buildings stained glass windows are used to teach stories as well as create visually impressive images that fill the sacred space with mystical coloured light that represents the divine and serve as memorial art. In addition to this, modern stained glass has superior properties in terms of safety, heat retention and maintenance.
As manufacturers of contemporary stained glass windows, we work with transparent vitreous enamels, firing them onto glass to enrich each space with luminous colour while allowing light to pass through and shine vividly. While many industrial glass processors rely on opaque enamels, it is art glass specialists like Proto Glass Studios who have mastered the use of transparent enamels with confidence and precision. Where budget restrictions do not allow for screen printed enamels, digital printing can be used to produce a similar effect.
We have been involved in numerous projects that are displayed in religious settings, and a selection of these are shown below.
All Saints' Church Creeksea, Essex. Screenprinted church hall memorial window by Benjamin Finn.
Cross Way Church, Seaford. A mixture of screen printed ceramic enamels, deep sandblasting, acid-etching and digital printing by Martin Donlin.
Chandler Hospital multi-faith room, Kentucky. Silk screenprinted, bonded, acid etched and kiln formed by John Reyntiens.
Lady Chapel, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. 24ct gold leaf and etched doorway with gold and silver reflective strands by Sarah Galloway.
St Clement's Church, Chorlton. Coloured, silk-screened enamels on float glass for a memorial window by Catrin Jones.
The Chapel and Quiet Room, Royal Hospital for Children in Bristol. Silk-screened enamels and sandblasting on toughened float glass by Catrin Jones.
Our Lady of Fatima Church London. Screenprinted enamels based on carved lino by Mark Cazalet.
St Lukes Church, Watford. Slumped and enamelled glass by Jane Campbell.
Otford Methodist church, Kent. Screenprinted transparent and opaque enamels on church windows by Mel Howse.
St Antony’s Priory Chapel, Durham. Screenprinted transparent and opaque enamels and sandblasting combined on Artista glass by Sophie Hacker.
St Michael's Church, Abertillery. Revitalisation project known as the Canon's Walk with printed glass design by Catrin Jones.
St Gabriel’s Church, Toronto. Coloured natural light installation by David Pearl.
HMP Bronzefield Prison Cedar room chapel. Laminated units with antique glass softening the light from the bars, by Sophie Hacker.
Glastonbury Abbey Yard. New facades featuring screenprinted ceramic etch to mimic the design of the original Abbey designed by Thread architects in conjunction with archaeologists, Historic England and Reading University.
Parish Church of St Mary & St Eanswythe, Folkestone. A box to hold the relics of their saint in a screenprinted reliquary designed by Sophie Hacker.
Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Waterlooville. Printed text, shapes and colours designed by Martin Donlin.
Local church in Toronto, Canada. Transparent digitally printed colours.
St Peter’s Church, Portesham, Dorset. Opaque enamels and sandblasted images depicting the local history designed by Sophie Hacker.
