Coleshill Chronicle, 25 Sep 1886

Harvest Festival at Acock’s Green

On Wednesday evening last the inhabitants of Acocks Green held their harvest festival.  The church was beautifully decorated for the occasion, under the general superintendence of Mr Rogers; the decorators being the Misses Barwell. King, Phillips, and Rogers; their assistants, the Misses Cooke, Onions, Stirk, Robinson, Wood and Paulin. The service was sung by the Rev HJ Ward, MA, Vicar of Morville, and the sermon preached by the Rev Canon Dickins, MA, Vicar of Tardebigge.

In addition to the festival the opportunity was taken of opening eight new stained-glass windows, which have been presented to the church to commemorate those who have taken an active part in its work. The windows have been executed by Messrs John Hardman and Co, and are very fine specimens of art.

The west window has been filled with painted glass in memory of the late John Field Swinburn, Esq, JP, who was a very liberal patron to all things connected with the church, vicarage, and schools. The subjects chosen for illustration are “Our Lord in the midst of the Doctors,” and “The Centurion appealing to Our Lord on behalf of his servant.” They were chosen to represent the love which the deceased had for education, and the reverence which he felt for the person of our Lord.

The subjects are placed under lofty canopies on a background of ruby, covered with rich branch-work of the vine. In the tracery Our Lord is offering a crown of glory to His faithful ones, whilst He Himself is surrounded by Cherubim and stars, and in the quatrefoils are angels bearing the harvest of good works to be garnered in Heaven.

The west window of the south aisle is filled in memory of Edith Alice Bradford; and being near the font, has for its subjects “The Baptism of Our Lord,” and “Our Lord blessing little children, who from all nations are gathered around Him.” In the tracery the Holy Ghost appears as a dove, descending upon the font.