Adapted from MARK MAG September 2008
Two easy questions about the picture on the right . . .
- Where have you seen this stained glass window?
- Do you know who the man is?
Well, in St Mark's Church, if you walk past the organ towards the vestry the window is straight in front of you. Who is it? None other than the Vicar of the Parish of St. Mark from 1894 to 1904,
during which time our current beloved Church was built, the Revd Arthur Gladstone Henley.
Sadly, Fr Henley drowned with his brother while on holiday at the seaside. He was so well respected that a fund was set up resulting in the design and fitting of the large stained glass window above the high altar.
It bears this inscription in the bottom right-hand corner:
Money left over paid for the small window pictured on the right. This window originally caused much controversy as apparently in those days it was
not acceptable for clergy of the Church of England to wear vestments when administering communion.
Now we get to my main point. Further donations were made which resulted in the construction of the Arthur Henley Hall, which will be 100 years old in October 2009.
So how should we commemorate this important centenary?
Ideas please, and also tell me what you know about the Henley Hall over the years so we can publish a bit every month. For example, it seems once a day school operated from the Hall. Anybody know more?
If YOU have memories of the Henley Hall, please share them with us:
CLICK