Church of St. Michael the Archangel, Chagford, Devon
January 31, 2012 in Church Interior, Stained Glass
St. Michael’s Church occupies a site probably hallowed for centuries before the construction of the present building. The commanding position of the church within an upland landscape has served as a powerful symbolic landmark for generations. Today it is still a focus for the continuity of a thousand years of community life.
The Parish Church of Chagford was dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel on 30th July 1261 by Bishop Branscombe.
This piece of beautiful stained glass is inspired by the below passage, and this line is quoted at the foot of the window: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
Matthew 9:18-26
King James Version (KJV)
While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.
And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,
He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.
And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
