Pane-staking work brings Irvine heritage back to life

A precious part of Irvine Bay’s heritage that was in danger of being lost is to be saved AND restored to its former glory – thanks to the regeneration of a landmark building.

Craftsmen are to work on the restoration of the magnificent and important rose window, recently removed from Trinity Church in Irvine while refurbishment work continues on the building.

Watch a film of work to remove the window here.

The window, five metres in diameter, is thought to be one of the first stained glass windows by acclaimed stained glass artist Daniel Cottier, who went on to create many fine pieces around the world.

Indeed, the Glasgow-based artist at one point had offices in London, New York and Sydney.

Irvine Bay Regeneration Company has been overseeing work on the A-listed building to prepare it for a new lease of life.

The company has already carried out significant works to protect, preserve and secure the building including the removal of a pigeon infestation, clean up, the construction of a new roof and the comprehensive survey of the spire.

Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, said: “We are delighted that, working with our partners, we are able to save this important piece of not only Irvine Bay heritage, but Scottish heritage.

“Trinity Church is a landmark building on a prominent site that has, over a number of years, been allowed to fall into a state of severe disrepair.

“Working with our partners, North Ayrshire Council and Trinity Church Trust, and with support from Historic Scotland, we have made a significant investment in getting the building much better suited for future development, and we will be marketing the building as a fantastic development opportunity. The rose window is a brilliant illustration of the fantastic heritage associated with the building, and we are delighted to be able to play our part in bringing this wonderful piece of stained glass back to life.”

Councillor David O’Neill, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “We are delighted to work with our partners at Irvine Bay and the Trinity Church Trust to help restore the Trinity Church to its former glory.

“This is an iconic landmark within Irvine and North Ayrshire and an important piece of heritage for the wider Scottish community.

“The rose window is a major part of the building’s history and we are glad that it is being restored as part of the wider improvement work on the Irvine town centre regeneration initiative.”

The work is being carried out by The Stained Glass Partnership.

Susan Bradbury, from the Partnership, said: “The window has been fairly heavily damaged through vandalism over the years, with a lot of panes broken and missing.

“However, what is fortunate is that because of some storm damage we were asked to repair a number of years ago, we have an excellent photo-record of the window before much of the damage occurred, and so we are able to restore it.

“It is a delicate task that will take several months to complete, but once finished the window should be wonderful. It has real historic value and some importance, in that we believe it was Cottier’s very first stained glass design.”

Daniel Cottier was born in Anderston, Glasgow, in 1837. It is thought he designed the rose window in the early 1860s, when he had completed an apprenticeship served in Glasgow and London and returned to Scotland.

At the 1867 Paris International Exhibition a stained glass window designed by him was hailed as the finest in the show and received an award. He is considered a major influence in introducing the aesthetic movement to America and Australia, and a major influence on artist and designer Louis Comfort Tiffany, best known for the eponymous lamps.

A video podcast of the removal of the window can be viewed here.

Some stained glass windows from the church building have already been removed, and are now housed at The Stained Glass Museum at Ely Cathedral in England.