Built in 1885, Frodsham Methodist Church at Five Crosses is a central place of worship for a growing local community in North West Cheshire. Church officials decided that the building was in need of modernisation, both in terms of design and energy conservation. Coventry based architectural firm Kenneth Holmes Associates was appointed to design a new reception foyer and to refurbish the main church.
Dhiran Vagdia of Kenneth Holmes Associates recognised the aesthetic design potential of the new windows and called in the expertise of SGO's Leicester studio: 'We have worked with SGO a great deal and have an excellent working relationship with them. We knew we could rely on them technically and creatively to give us what we needed.'
The modern, abstract design of the new arched windows in the main body of the church was created by Hilary Picket, a member of the congregation, and SGO was asked to interpret this design within the bounds of its decorative glass products. Pilkington K Glass was used as backing glass within the units to boost energy savings, and the windows were fitted by main contractor Clegg Building Ltd of Northwich.
While the windows were designed, other members of the church congregation created another stunning set-piece behind the church altar: a multi-coloured tapestry formed from five panel screens overlaid with small square pictures to create a cross. This striking piece was then the inspiration for the design of an additional SGO window installed in the newly built foyer. This single arched window follows a similar pattern to the tapestry, with a cross made of coloured squares super-imposed onto five leaded outline panels.
Says Dhiran Vagdia: 'Members of the church are delighted with the work that has been done, and we were particularly pleased with SGO's ability to match closely the original design concepts of the people who attend the church.'
Source
Glass Age
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