St Martin-cum-Gregory, York

St Martin-cum-Gregory's Church on Micklegate at York is a medieval building with the panoply of later alterations with which most old churches are familiar. York had too many churches even when attendance was strong; these days of godless materialism and heathen attitudes make excessive churches the more superfluous. It is now a ‘centre’ for stained glass, which seems to refer to spreading information about its making and uses rather than being a place of actual manufacture.

I like the way stained glass may be dull until rays of sunshine illuminate it, passing through and casting colour on walls and floors. The sun brings it to life, but on a dull day, it appears dull itself. Likewise, the Christian: the more the Lord shines His light onto us, the greater the beauty we display and the joy we bring.

When his light shined upon mine head: and when by his light I walked through the darkness… Job 29:3, Geneva Bible

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