North Loburn artist Graham Stewart designs stained-glass window for Aldersgate
A North Canterbury artist says the Covid-19 lockdown was a blessing in disguise as it gave him more time to work a special piece for a Christchurch church. The stained-glass window designed by North Loburns Graham Stewart was dedicated at the Aldersgate Centre (part of the Durham Street Methodist Church) on Sunday. The date was chosen to link it with Matariki celebrations and the Christchurch is Lit festival . The inspiration for Stewarts design was the dove of peace the symbolism of Methodism, and the symbol of peace and unity in a secular world. READ MORE: * Quake victims' families humbled by 'special' new building remembering loved ones * Preservation of church memories planned ahead of demolition * Family donates window after earthquakes shatter original in Christchurch's Knox Church The design also incorporated the tree and river of life. The church said it felt it was important to incorporate symbols that resonated with the secular world as well as those of other faiths. The commission spanned a year from concept to installation. Some of the glass was imported from Germany and made especially for the design. Stewart said the Covid-19 lockdown gave him more time to work on colour variations and effects an unexpected benefit as he rarely had much time to be so particular. It was] a real blessing in disguise and benefit from an otherwise scary pandemic, he said. The Aldersgate Centre was officially opened on February 29 and replaced the Durham Street Methodist Church that collapsed in the February 2011 earthquake. Stewart was involved in the removal of the original glass from the old church and said he was grateful for the commission to create something beautiful and enduring for the new church.