Stained Glass Artists and Studios in Canada
Canadian Artists and Studios
The list of Canadian stained glass artists and studios is limited but of high quality. Following is an initial list and more will be added as photographs of their glass are taken.
FIRM/STUDIO & DATE ESTD. |
LOCATION |
COMMENTS |
Robert McCauland Ltd. Est. 1856 |
Toronto |
The Toronto firm of Robert McCaustland Ltd., founded in 1856 by Joseph McCausland (1828-1905), is the oldest stained glass studio in the Western Hemisphere and was the leader in the development of 19th century stained glass in Toronto. Robert McCausland (1856-1923) was the artist who made the firm's reputation in stained glass. McCausland studio not only pursued its own course of evolution in the context of the Gothic Revival in architecture, but provided the training ground for generations of artists and craft specialists who began to set up their own studios. The McCausland firm has made two-thirds of the stained glass in Canada. It is still functioning today. |
N. T. Lyon Glass Studie, 1880s |
Toronto |
Nathaniel Theodore Lyon was associated with Joseph McCausland as early as 1868, and who had set up his own independent stained glass studio in the 1880s. N.T. Lyon's studio flourished until the end of the 1920s, and succumbed to the tribulations of the Great Depression in the 1930s. As the end, the Lyon studio was absorbed back into the McCausland firm. |
Dominion Stained Glass Studio |
This studio use extensively enamel painting. |
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Luxfer Prism Studios, 1928 |
Toronto |
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Edwards Glass, 1990 |
London, ON |
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William Meikle, 1900-1940 |
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David Johnson, 1980s |
Saskatchewan |
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Christopher Wallis Studio, 1950 |
Grand Bend, ON |
Active |
Click on image to enlarge

Map of Canada and its provinces and territories
Ontario Sites
A number of window panels in St. Anne's Church, Toronto by (1) N.T. Lyon & Sons, (2), Luxfer Prism Co and (3) & Robert McCausland Ltd.
Lessons from Old & New Testaments Bottom L to R: Angel; Christ & Children (3); St. Stephen (3); Good Samaritan; Angel of light (3). Top L to R: Lost piece of money; Saving Peter; Lost Sheep. Memorial Window Bottom L to R: Sword & Wreath; (3);(3);NA;Sword & Wreath. Top L to R: Union Jack (2); Abraham & Isaac (2); St. George; Mary; Canadian Ensign (2). |
Osgoode Hall, Toronto
Convocational Hall, Osgoode Hall. Stained glass by Christopher Wallis (b. 1930), Christopher Wallis Studio, Grand Bend, Ontario
Windows on law in light and glass Installed 1986-1989.
Windows on law in light and glass Installed 1986-1989.
East Block, Canadian Parliament
Images for educational purposes only
Eastern Ontario Sites
Architectural Details and Studio Signatures
Photo-History Book on The Church of the Sacred Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Wolfe Island, Ontario, 2018. Photos by David Clendenning, Ottawa.

Over the summers of 2017 and 2018, David Clendenning collaborated with the Sacred Heart of Mary Church on Wolfe Island (just off Kingston, Ontario) to produce a wonderful photo book on the history of this 20th century Roman Catholic church. The history of this island settlement church (1820-2018) began with its first wooden church built in 1852, followed by a second stone church constructed in 1872. In 1916-17, a new and much larger stone church with its soaring Gothic architecture and splendid stained glass windows was built, designed by Power & Son, Architects in Kingston.
"Through the providence of parishioners and clergy a century ago, 29 {full sized} stained glass windows grace Sacred Heart of Mary Church today". Biblical scenes and the lives of the saints are depicted in their multi-coloured panes.
"Many have pondered the cost of construction and the colourful ornate stained glass windows during such a complex economic time in Canadian history. How could island families, including still more immigrants, with many mouths to feed, then dealing with the wars and the Depression pay for such extravagance? But somehow the fundraising, family donations, bequests, pew rents, Sunday offering and special collections paid off the debt by 1946".
"Through the providence of parishioners and clergy a century ago, 29 {full sized} stained glass windows grace Sacred Heart of Mary Church today". Biblical scenes and the lives of the saints are depicted in their multi-coloured panes.
"Many have pondered the cost of construction and the colourful ornate stained glass windows during such a complex economic time in Canadian history. How could island families, including still more immigrants, with many mouths to feed, then dealing with the wars and the Depression pay for such extravagance? But somehow the fundraising, family donations, bequests, pew rents, Sunday offering and special collections paid off the debt by 1946".
Book viewed for educational purposed only
Click on images to enlarge
Saint Ablan's Loyalist Church, Adophoustown, Ontario
Quebec Sites
Montreal
Modern
British Columbia Sites
Nova Scotia Sites

History Etched in Glass
The installation of the stained-glass window in 1985 fulfilled the Acadian community's dream of having a window grace the front of the the Memorial Church in Grand Pre to commemorate the deportation of their ancestors in 1755.. Designed by artist Terry Smith-Lamonthe of Louisiana Cadien descent.
The installation of the stained-glass window in 1985 fulfilled the Acadian community's dream of having a window grace the front of the the Memorial Church in Grand Pre to commemorate the deportation of their ancestors in 1755.. Designed by artist Terry Smith-Lamonthe of Louisiana Cadien descent.
Works of European Artists in Canada
Great East Memorial Stained Glass Window, c.1919 - Church of Saint Bartholomew, Ottawa. Founded in 1868.
Work by Wilhelmina Geddes, Irish Artist, 1887-1955. This window is regarded by experts as the finest stained glass window in Canada.
Work by Wilhelmina Geddes, Irish Artist, 1887-1955. This window is regarded by experts as the finest stained glass window in Canada.
The great "Ottawa" Memorial Window was commissioned in 1919 by Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught (Governor General of Canada, 1911-1916) in memory of Canadian members of his personal staff who fell in WW1. It was unveiled by the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward V111, in Ottawa in 1919.
Work by Wilhelmina Geddes, Irish Artist, 1887-1955.
Work by Wilhelmina Geddes, Irish Artist, 1887-1955.
The "Ottawa Window" window was revealed at St. Bartholomew Church, Ottawa, in 1919 by HRH the Prince of Wales. The window was commissioned in 1916 by Queen Victori's son Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, who was Canada's Governor General at the time. This world class masterpiece is also considered by many as the finest window in Canada.
The window is a memorial depicting images of mounting men and women. Wilhelmina Geddes uses primitive colours in her Ottawa window. It is said by an observer that the colours used in this piece "give the window power and drama while strong, expressive drawing brings out the sense of action and facial expression." An article in Irish Life featured the window on the cover of its Christmas 1919 issue. Geddes completed the entire window in Miss Pursor's glass works, Upper Pembroke Street in Dublin, Ireland (Wikipedia). Wilhelmina Geddes, the illustrious Irish glass master, spent over two years creating this brilliant memorial to the dead of the Great War. Life size legendary warriors occupy the upper panels, symbolizing the men sent to the war. Below them, excite portrayals of mourning women - mother, sisters and lovers left behind in sorrow - fill the border with grief. The full 2019 article on this window is the Broadview Magazine below. |
Triptych - Warrior Saints
Names of Warrior Saints
Left: St. Raphael (guardian of travellers and healer of kindness), St. Gabriel (the Angel of Resurrection); between them the slain warrior (representing the 10 Canadian members of Rideau Hall staff killed) Centre: St Longinus, St Sebastien, St. Martin (all Roman Soldiers martyred for their Christian faith), They march to meet the new arrival (the slain warrior). Centurian with Christ on the Cross depicted. Right: A further trio of soldiers saints advances to greet the slain warrior: St. Edmund (9th century king of the East Angles, martyred by the Danes for refusing to renounce Christianity), Jeanne d'Arc, Louis 1X (saintly 13 century King of France). |
Broadview Magazine, November 2019
"The Ottawa Window", a Masterpiece by Wilhelmina Geddes, 1919
Story "Precious Glass" first appeared in Broadview's November 2019 issue. Church of St. Bartholomew houses a stained glass masterpiece. Photos by David Clendenning. Go to: broadview.org/stained-glass-wilhelmina-geddes/
"The Ottawa Window", a Masterpiece by Wilhelmina Geddes, 1919
Story "Precious Glass" first appeared in Broadview's November 2019 issue. Church of St. Bartholomew houses a stained glass masterpiece. Photos by David Clendenning. Go to: broadview.org/stained-glass-wilhelmina-geddes/

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