Church window lost during war turns up after 80 years
A STAINED-GLASS window that went missing during the Second World War has been found after 80 years, but the church it belonged to has rejected an offer for it to be returned.
Colin Mantripp, who runs a woodcarving studio, purchased what he thought was a box of fragments of stained glass, for use in his bespoke designs, at an auction last year.
After spending a few months restoring and cleaning the pieces, the 63-year-old noticed the words “St Mary’s” inscribed in the glass.
He was stunned to discover that the windows he purchased for just £300 were actually from St Mary’s church in Sheffield, South Yorks, which had gone missing during the war.
In 1939, the neo-gothic east window, measuring 20ft by 12ft, was removed to protect it from Nazi bombers. Along with other stained glass, it was hidden hundreds of feet below ground.
The location of the glass had been lost over the years and after the church was devastated during the Sheffield Blitz, it took almost 20 years before any restoration work began.
Mr Mantripp, of Bourne End, Bucks, said: “For £300 I thought I bagged a bargain – and I didn’t even know about its history. I’m not sure what I’ll do with the glass now that I’ve cleaned it up but it’s great to have found a piece of history.”
After discovering that the glass had been missing for more than 80 years, he offered to return it to St Mary’s. But the church declined because the windows had already been replaced.
The Rev Claire Dawson said: “The windows are an important part of the church’s history which dates back to 1830 and, as nice as it would be to see them, so much has changed for the church for the better that it wouldn’t be practical to have them back.
“We have a beautiful new window which was installed above the altar and is a celebration of the journey from the church’s beginning to the present day.”
In 2009, an £80,000 window by Helen Whittaker, funded by the Arts Council, was installed at the church.