Preserving Tunstall’s Heritage.
The Stained Glass Restoration Appeal
Every pane tells a story.
Every donation helps preserve it.
St John the Baptist's Church has stood at the heart of Tunstall for more than 900 years. Recorded in the Domesday Book, generations have gathered here to celebrate, to mourn and to worship beneath its remarkable stained-glass windows.
Time has taken its toll, and these extraordinary windows now require specialist conservation
to protect them for future generations.
We are raising £650,000 to ensure that the light, craftsmanship and stories they hold continue to inspire for centuries to come.
For more than 900 years, St John the Baptist's Church has stood at the heart of the Lune Valley.
Recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, rebuilt in the fifteenth century and designated a Grade I listed church, it has been shaped by generations who have worshipped, celebrated and sought comfort within its walls.
Its story extends far beyond Tunstall. The church was attended by the Brontë sisters during their time at the Clergy Daughters' School at nearby Cowan Bridge and is home to treasures that continue to attract visitors, historians and art lovers alike.
Today, this remarkable place remains open to everyone; a living church where history, faith and community continue to meet.
Windows Worth Preserving
The stained-glass windows of St John the Baptist's Church tell a remarkable story spanning hundreds of years of craftsmanship, faith and artistic achievement.
Among them are rare examples of medieval European glass dating from the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, surviving for more than 400 years. These internationally significant panels sit alongside beautiful mid-nineteenth-century windows, created by one of Britain's most celebrated stained-glass makers.
The glass itself is fragile and deteriorating, while the stonework and window frames that protect it have also suffered from centuries of exposure to the elements. Without specialist conservation, these remarkable windows face an uncertain future.
The £650,000 Stained Glass Restoration Appeal will fund the careful conservation of the historic glass, together with the repair of the surrounding stonework and frames, ensuring these extraordinary works of art can continue to inspire future generations.
