The present stained glass East Window replaced the original plain window in 1946.
The East Window is a permanent memorial to those of the Parish who lost their lives in the two World Wars and was dedicated by the Bishop of Manchester, Dr Guy Warman, at a special service on Saturday 11th May 1946.
The window was designed by Mr Harry Grylls of London and the original sketch was exhibited in the Royal Academy of 1941, prior to being submitted to St Aidan’s in 1942. The window covers the whole of the east side of the church above the chancel and consists of five lights. The three central lights are flanked by lancets and separated by wide stonework in the character of the 13th Century and the stained-glass has been designed to conform with its shape and period. The centre portion consists of richly coloured panels running through the three lights of patterned grisaille, while the side lights have single standing figures under canopies in a similar grisaille. In the upper part of the centre light is the figure of Christ in majesty, seated on a rainbow, and in the side lights are censing angels. Below this is the Crucifixion with the attendant figures of St. Mary and St. John, and behind the figure of Christ is the sun in the eclipse; whilst underneath this is the Virgin enthroned with, on one side, the Three Kings bringing gifts and, on the other, the shepherds with their offerings. Six Celtic Saints are depicted in the side lancets. On the north side are St. Aidan with a stag at his feet; St. Cuthbert holding the head of Oswald in his hands, and St. Wilfrid at the top. On the south side are St. Chad bearing Lichfield Cathedral, St. Oswald with a rude wooden cross, and St. Bede, the scholar who translated St. John’s Gospel into English.
The dedicatory inscription, which is near the bottom of the central light, is “1939 Dominus nobis magna fecit quibus gauaemas, 1945” – The Lord has done for us great things for which we rejoice.
The names of the members of the Parish who lost their lives during both wars are recorded in the pavement of the Sanctuary.
