Church east window attributed to Preedy (From Evesham Journal)

Church east window attributed to Preedy

8:00am Monday 13th February 2012 in News

RESEARCHERS peering into the work of a prolific Vale architect have found another piece of his work from the late Victorian period.

Following the launch of the Evesham Preedy Trail by the mayor of Evesham Jim Bulman last month, the authors John Grove and Zsuzsa Dosa have discovered another window created by Frederick Preedy in St Lawrence’s Church, Mickleton.

This window is the main east window of the church and Mr Grove describes it as “particularly fine and well worth a visit”.

He said: “The window has five lights with scenes from the final days of Jesus. Of particular interest is a discussion between Jesus and an authoritative figure who could be the Jewish high priest, Caiaphas, who questioned him at the time of his trial.

“There are the familiar Preedy musician Angels and the Alpha and Omega signs. The toplight depiction of the Ascension of Jesus into heaven is especially striking with the 11 disciples shown as a group of witnesses. The Mickleton window is a fine addition to the Preedy Trail.”

The Preedy Trail seeks to highlight the work of Preedy, who was born in Offenham, near Evesham in 1820. A leaflet and map detailing how to view Preedy’s work covers 10 local churches and more than 60 windows.

Leaflets are available from the Almonry Museum in Evesham, other tourist information centres, or any of the churches involved. These include All Saints in Evesham, St Andrew’s in Cleeve Prior and St Lawrence in Weston sub Edge.

Mr Grove hopes the Preedy Trail will become a major tourist attraction and introduce the architect’s work to a new generation.

There are also plans for a Preedy Archive and a research centre may also be set up.