[A final impression of how the window will look on completion]
They’ve only gone and done it! Bath Abbey has managed to raise the thousands of pounds needed to fund the creation of a new stained glass window which will honour a Bath-born saint.
In July 2025, the church launched a fundraising appeal to create a new stained glass window honouring Bath-born Saint Alphege. With 40% of the funds secured prior to the appeal going live—thanks to the generosity of supporters including The Friends of Bath Abbey—the Abbey set out to raise a further £90,000 to create an extraordinary work of Christian art celebrating Bath’s local saint. Today, Bath Abbey is delighted to announce the successful completion of the Saint Alphege Window Appeal.
More than a thousand years ago, Saint Alphege was born in Bath. From his early life as a humble monk, he rose to become Abbot of Bath Abbey and later Archbishop of Canterbury, before his untimely death at the hands of Danish invaders. Throughout his life, Saint Alphege was guided by generosity, a commitment to social justice, and a pursuit of peace. He remains a figure of profound significance in the history of both Bath Abbey and the City of Bath, beloved by thousands around the world. Yet, despite his enduring legacy, his story has not been widely celebrated in his home city.
Now, thanks to generous donors including members of the congregation and visitors to the Abbey, Bathonians, Trusts and Foundations, local philanthropists,A window on a Bath-born saint and appeal sponsor Mogers Drewett LLP, Bath Abbey will honour Saint Alphege’s legacy where it all began. By shining new light on Saint Alphege through the creation of a glorious stained glass window, Bath Abbey will commemorate this beloved saint and share his extraordinary story with the world.
The Reverend Chantal Mason, Acting Rector of Bath Abbey, stated:
“We give heartfelt thanks to all who have donated to the Saint Alphege Window Appeal – we are so grateful for your support. Saint Alphege’s life of peace, principle, and courage still speaks powerfully to our time, and Bath Abbey’s new stained glass window will carry his story into the future – in vibrant colour and light, for generations to come. Bath Abbey does not exist simply to preserve the past; it exists to serve the future – to be a place where spiritual life, culture, and community meet. Because of the vision and generosity of our supporters, the Saint Alphege Window will be more than just a fitting memorial to this beloved saint; it will stand as a symbol of hope and a testament to what we can achieve together.”
The Friends of Bath Abbey made a generous donation in the early stages of the Saint Alphege Window Appeal, enabling vital development of the window’s design. Peter LeRoy, Chairman of The Friends of Bath Abbey, said:
“Our members come from a wide range of backgrounds, ages and locations, united by a shared passion for preserving and enhancing Bath Abbey’s magnificent architecture for the benefit of all. The Friends were delighted to support this worthy project, as the Saint Alphege Window will be a glorious addition to the Abbey. It will celebrate Bath Abbey’s unique sacred heritage while inspiring the hearts and imaginations of future generations through the remarkable story of Saint Alphege, reimagined in spectacular stained glass.”
Bath Abbey has commissioned renowned Bath-based stained glass artist Neil Ireson to design and create the new Saint Alphege Window for the Alphege Chapel. This chapel is a sacred space where thousands of international visitors come to pray for their loved ones, for the wider world and for peace.
Production of the window has begun this month, with installation planned for winter 2026. During this time, Abbey visitors will have the rare opportunity to watch the Saint Alphege Window being installed by Neil Ireson and his expert team. Alphege-inspired tours, family trails, and engaging learning activities are planned, which will weave the story and values of Saint Alphege into Abbey life, enhancing worship, enriching the visitor experience, and offering a fresh interpretation of Bath Abbey’s heritage. To find out more and stay up to date with news about the Saint Alphege Window, sign up for Bath Abbey’s newsletter on their website.
Bath Abbey Information
Bath Abbey is a flourishing Church of England parish church which technically serves a small city centre parish (Bath Abbey with St James). This parish has a small residential population and primarily consists of commercial properties; most of the regular congregation and the electoral roll live in other parishes or come from outside the city of Bath. Bath Abbey has been called “The Lantern of the West” due to its many large windows and the abundance of light that floods the interior. The Abbey boasts 52 windows, which account for a significant portion of its wall space. The Abbey holds daily services of morning and evening prayer, Holy Communion and Choral Evensong, and the standard pattern of Sunday worship is for five daily services. Special services at Advent, Christmas and Easter are well attended; and many local organisations hold annual services in the Abbey. Alongside being a place of prayer, worship, weddings and funerals, the Abbey has an important role as a visitor destination, a performance space (for audiences between 10 and 1,000), a general civic space and an exhibition space. The Abbey welcomes approximately 400,000 visitors annually and is open daily year-round, with many of these visitors being families and school parties. http://www.bathabbey.org
Neil Ireson Biography
Neil Ireson is a Bath-based contemporary stained glass artist and painter, specialising in the creation of inspirational stained glass. Neil studied BA Fine Art (Painting) in the late 1970’s at The Central School of Art in London, where he also studied stained glass under Patrick Reyntiens OBE, followed by an MA in the History of Art at London University. With more than 35 years’ experience, Neil has established a significant reputation both in the UK and abroad for creating imaginative and beautiful artworks for a range of diverse projects in residential, ecclesiastical and commercial environments.
http://www.neilireson.com
Appeal Sponsor: Mogers Drewett LLP Information
The Saint Alphege Window Appeal is sponsored by Mogers Drewett LLP. Mogers Drewett LLP is a leading Southwest legal and financial planning firm that takes pride in building long-term client relationships. From their offices in Bath, Frome, Sherborne and Wells, Mogers Drewett LLP offers comprehensive expert advice across a range of legal and financial services for individuals and businesses. Whether you’re planning your retirement, starting a business, buying a family home or writing your will, you’ll get the highest quality advice delivered in a personal way – without the big city price tag.
http://www.mogersdrewett.com
