“Reshaping Light: Safeguarding Scotland’s Stained Glass”
20th June 2025 at West Kilbride Church, Ayrshire
Many Scottish church congregations are uniting and need to make difficult decisions about the future of their building, and – our especial concern – the fate of the stained glass. Many church members don’t know that when a congregation moves it is possible to take their windows with them.
We are hosting our June Symposium at West Kilbride Parish Church. This is a superb example of a Victorian church refurbished for modern worship. The collection of stained glass from Overton church was removed, re-ordered and installed within the building of the combined congregation at West Kilbride, for future generations to continue to enjoy and to ensure that a priceless part of their history is not lost.
Come and join us to learn more. Architects or planners exploring the reordering of churches and representatives of congregations facing a union will be especially welcome.
Order of Events
10:30 Meet at West Kilbride Church, Main Street (KA23 9AW) which is less than 5 minutes walk from West Kilbride Station. Tea/coffee and biscuits will be available.
11:00 Welcome by Susan Bradbury, Chair of the Scottish Stained Glass Trust.
11:05 “Reshaping Light: Safeguarding Scotland’s Stained Glass” — Moira Malcolm, Director of Scotland’s most prestigious stained glass studio, will describe the pros and cons involved in moving stained glass from one church to another. Moira will illustrate the issues that arise and demonstrate the great results that can be achieved, and will be happy to answer any questions.
12:00 “Removed, Re-ordered, Re-installed and Above All, Still Radiant“ — Susan Bradbury, who for 35 years ran the Stained Glass Design Partnership restoring and making new work throughout Britain, will discuss the methodology and design skills used to remodel this superb collection of stained glass to fit the new location within West Kilbride Church. This is an excellent example of what can be done!
13.00 Lunch and informal discussion in the hall, just across the vestibule.
The Symposium is free but please book a place with our secretary Rona Moody by emailing: secretary@ssgt.org.uk
A sandwich lunch with cake and fruit is available for £10. Or you may wish to cross the road to the Barony Arts Centre, which is a fine example of a traditional church building remodelled for a different use and which has a café with a range of lunch options.
Please let Rona know when you are signing up for the symposium whether you would like lunch and indicate any dietary requirements.