South Molton - South Transept - South Window - Zachariah, King David and Isaiah

The town of South Molton in Devon is an ancient settlement. It is listed in the Domesday Book as one of the places in Devon directly held by the king. There is also a reference to four priests holding a virgate, about thirty acres, of land from the king in alms. From this one may surmise that there was already a church here at this time.

 

The current church dedicated to St Mary Magdalene can be found in the middle of the town. At its core the church dates from the 14th and 15th centuries but has been restored at various occasions since then; particularly in the nineteenth century. Between 1825 and 1829 the church was enlarged and galleries were installed, which have since been removed. In 1864 the nave roof was raised and the clerestory inserted under the supervision of C.E. Giles.

 

There are nineteen windows in the church and all contain stained glass of various dates. Three of the windows cannot be photographed, one is in the tower and two are behind the organ.

 

This picture shows the three minor figures from the South window of the South transept. The figures represent Zachariah, father of John the Baptist, King David and Isaiah. The scrolls these are holding carry the text from Luke i : 69 which is part of the Benedictus.The window dates from 1881 and was made by John Hardman and Co. of Birmingham.

 

I have stitched this picture together from three separate images. The order of the figures allows the text on the scrolls to be read in sequence. The text reads 'He hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.'

 

Done