John Ray Window

The PCC of St Peter and St Paul’s are commissioning a new stained glass window project to commemorate the life and legacy of John Ray, the eminent botanist.

John Ray is celebrated as the father of English natural history. His pioneering research in classifying species (flora, fauna, birds and animals) was influential for Carl Linnaeus, and some of Ray’s findings are still used in taxonomy today. Ray was also a Christian theologian who understood that creation is ‘revealing the wisdom of God’.
 

John Ray’s interests led him to travel all over Europe and the United Kingdom but his work is inextricably linked to the village of Black Notley, for it was here that John Ray was born and died. The Churchyard in Black Notley is John Ray’s final resting place, and a site for those who want to pay their respects to him.
 

November 2027 will mark the 400th anniversary of John Ray’s birth and we intend to install a new stained glass window as a testament to his legacy, both as a naturalist and as a Christian theologian.

We have appointed Juliet Forrest as our artist. Juliet is a Sheffield-based stained glass artist renowned for her intricate designs that celebrate the natural world. Juliet is passionate about this project, having previously studied  zoology, taxonomy and ecology, which influences her work. In recognition of her craftsmanship, Juliet was honored with the prestigious Ashton Hill Award and holds the title of Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass.

Juliet is currently in the process of drafting designs. We are intending to submit a Faculty in October 2025, allowing the necessary time for adjustments. The window would then be created and we hope it could be installed in the later part of 2027.

Please follow our Instagram page here to find out the latest information: https://www.instagram.com/the_johnray_window/

You can find out more about Juliet and her work here: https://www.facebook.com/julietforrestglass   ​