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
Lessons from Old & New Testaments, c.1908-1923. Toronto.
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Memorial Window, c. 1908-1923.Toronto.
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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). |
Canaidan Red Ensign, c 1920 version
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Osgoode Hall, Toronto
Title: "Beavers and Star of David" - Stained Glass Panel on Ceiling, c.1844.
RN: A1-9975.
Location: 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.
Title: English Heritage RN: A1-9284
Location: Toronto
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Title: Canadian Heritage
RN: A1-9308.
Location: Toronto
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East Block, Canadian Parliament
Title: Trillium Window, c 1870s.
RN: A1-3555.
Location: East Block, Canadian Parliament.
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Title: Stained Glass Window, East Block, Canadian Parliament, c 1886. RN: A1-3545.
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Images for educational purposes only
Title: Naturalistic Design, early 1900s
RN: A1-7286.
Location: Nature Science Museum, Ottawa.
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
Title: Painted Stained Glass, c1917. Sacred Heart of Mary Church, Wolfe Island, ON.
RN: A1-7680.
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 Title: Signature of N.T. Lyon Glass studio (1880s-1930) in bottom right of the panel.
The art and craft of stained glass window manufacturing in Canada came into its own in the 1850s
Most of the stained glass in the Sacred Heart of Mary Church on Wolfe Island were actually made in Canada. Nineteen of the 29 windows in the church are signed by the Toronto studio "N.T. Lyon Co.", in the lower right-hand cornor. These windows are not dated. The variation in styles among those signatures could suggest that the windows were not all produced at the same time. Most elaborate stained glass windows often included architectural details simulating the carved canopies over statuary. Canopy styles were visual trademarks for their designers, as each stained glass studio had its own. Lyon canopies in gothic style, for example, included fleshy leaves of a type not seen in McCausland work. In turn, Luxfer also had its own style, different from either McCausland or Lyon. Typically, the stained glass windows in churches like Sacred Heart of May Church have been installed as a memorial. Sadly, many parish histories provide far more information on the donors and donnas of their stained glass than on the studios which designed, assemblies and installed them. The origins of windows where the studio name are missing or concealed are easily recognizable through stylistic comparison with those that are signed. |
Title: Brebeuf-Jogues, Canadian Stained Glass, c.1917, N.T.Lyon, Toronto.
RN: A1-7711.
Location: Sacred Heart of Mary Church, Wolfe Island, Ontario
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Title: Religious Panel, Canadian Stained Glass, c.1917, N.T. Lyon, Toronto.
RN: A1-7779.
Location: Sacred Heart of Mary Church, Wolfe Island, Ontario.
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Click on images to enlarge
Saint Ablan's Loyalist Church, Adophoustown, Ontario
Title: Stained Glass, c1883.
RN: A1-1520
Location: St. Alban's Church
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Title: Stained Glass by Edwards Glass, London, Ontario.
RN: A1-1449.
Location: St. Alban's Loyalist Church.
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Title: Stained Glass Windows in Alter.
Order No.: A1-2255.
Location: Kingston, Ontario.
Quebec Sites
Montreal
Title: Stained Glass Window.
RN: A1-4075.
Location: St James, Montreal
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Title: WW 1 Memorial Window.
RN: A1-9030.
Country: St James, Montreal.
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Modern
Title:Still Life, glass, lead. Marius Plamdondon, 1958 RN: A1-1708.
Location: MMFA, Montreal.
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Title: Flower Arrangement, glass, c 1900s
RN: A1-1785.
Location: Forget House, Montreal.
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British Columbia Sites
Title: Stained Glass of Mountain Scene, SS Moyie, Steam wheeler, c. 1898.
RN: A1-5368.
Location: Nelson, BC.
Nova Scotia Sites
Title: Deportation of the Acadians.
RN: A1-9663,
Location: Grand Pre Memorial Church, NS.
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.
Title: Duke of Connaught's Memorial Window, Ottawa, c. 1919..
RN: A1-4751.
Location: St. Bart's Church, Ottawa
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Title: Main Panel of the "Ottawa" Memorial Window.
RN: A1-4881.
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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.
Title: Central Panel, Ottawa Memorial Window.
Order No.: A1-4791.
Location: St. Bartholomew Church. Ottawa.
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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
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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). |
Title: Right Panel, Ottawa Memorial Window.
Order No.: A1-4906.
Location: St. Bartholomew Church, Ottawa.
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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/
| precious_glass_broadview_mag._nov._2019._photos-_david_clendenning_ottawa.pdf |