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A 2 year project will be completed this Sunday with the dedication of a new stained glass window in Castlerock Presbyterian Church, 11.30am 23-11-97 in memory of former minister Dr WF Marshall and his son John Marshall, former Clerk of Session
John Marshall originally commissioned local artist Robert Sellar to design the window in memory of his father and plans were well advanced when John also died. It was then decided that the window should be in memory of both men.
Robert Sellar describes the window as a 'hymn of praise for the wonderful creation to be seen all around,' and says that three people have been involved in its design, himself, John Marshall, and through his writings, WF Marshall. 'Dr Marshall was the minister here from 1928 until 1954 but was well known as a poet, historian and authority on local dialect. He was a keen fisherman and great lover of the outdoors and that is reflected in his writings which have really inspired the window which depicts the natural beauty of the North West.'
The narrative at the top of the 10' x 3' window reads 'For these and all his mercies God's holy name be praised,' below which the illustration begins with a mountain scene descending into heath land covered in heather and whinn. A stream flows from this under a bridge and develops into a river and on one side a trout is depicted rising to a fisherman's fly while on the opposite bank is the fisherman's lunch; sandwiches and a flask. The river flows into a lake where fishermen are seen a boat and elsewhere a heron and tufted duck are visible. The river continues it journey to the sea with bull finches, hedgehogs, snails and rabbits, wild roses and sloe berry bushes all illustrated on its banks. At the bottom of the window is an impression of Castlerock Church. The illustrations were loosely based on Limavady Forest Park , Lough Esk and the view from the University of Ulster looking along the Bann to Portstewart.
The window has been constructed and installed by Coleraine company C McClintock Stained Glass whose Principal Chris McClintock considers it the most detailed and intricate window he has worked on. 'It is unlikely that I will have the opportunity to work on a project like this again, such is the quality and detail that has been incorporated in this window.'
The window will be dedicated by Castlerock's minister Rev Frank Russell and the special speaker will be Rev Andrew Todd, a friend of the Marshall family.
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