A NEW, large stained glass window has been installed at an historic church.

The window has been put into the annexe meeting room at St Mary’s Church, Wivenhoe.

The extention, designed by Colchester architects Inkpen Downie, has been given a revamp including the window.

Titled Dove and Blue Boat, the collaborative installation is a product of the Wivenhoe community and a factor of the £500,000 raised to revamp the church.

The artwork was designed by Wivenhoe artist James Dodds and built in Scotland by former Wivenhoe resident Andy Brooke with Pascale Penfold.

The window was the product of four years of work and the design is also particularly relevant to Wivenhoe’s rich maritime heritage.

Dove and Blue Boat acts as an updated and topical version of an ark, figuratively a sanctuary in troubled times.

The biblical dove bares an olive branch of peace from out of the sun.

James stated he believes that the window represents love, community, hope and salvation from the hardship and anxieties of climate change, pandemic and war.

The boat depicted is one that would have been locally built, the style that James, the artist, worked on during his time as an apprentice boatbuilder.

He said: “The boat is a vessel that carries my artistic ideas. For the refugee, a boat can represent a way to be carried to safety. For a religious person a boat can represent a place of worship and salvation.”

A representative of St Mary’s Church, parts of which date back to the 14th century, said: “St Mary’s is thrilled to have this superb new artwork installed in the new annexe building thanks to the talents and generosity of James Dodds and the glass making skills of Andy Brooke and his team.

"This thought-provoking image will be there for future generations to enjoy thanks to their skills and the financial support for the project from several people.”