Church joy at new window

The Rev Alex Bradley (right) is after the dedication, with the artist, John Orson (left), and members of the church’s congregation

A LONG-established Oldham church has had its first stained glass window installed — thanks to a news item in the Chronicle.

The Unitarian Church, in King Street, was built to replace an old building in Lord Street, Oldham, which was knocked down when St Mary’s Way was built.

But the modern church had no stained glass until member Marion Nuttall spotted a Chronicle article about John Orson, from Mossley, who has joined the Saddleworth Crafts Co-operative in Delph.

Mr Orson specialises in stained or restoration glass, and launched his company, Moorglass, in spring during the Co-operative’s 30th anniversary celebrations.

The church asked him to create a window containing a chalice, the international symbol of the Unitarian church

The window — the artist’s largest commission to date — was blessed at a special service by the Rev Alex Bradley, president of the Manchester District Association of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches.