Stained Glass Windows
The Stained Glass Windows of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Whitby The Stained Glass Window project committee consisted of Catherine Schell, Madge Wilson, Lloyd Campbell, Hugh Watson, Roy McMahon, Steven Reynolds and Rev. W.J.S. McClure. Deliberations of the committee began with the consideration, that windows not only beautify the sanctuary, but be a means of inspiration to the worshipper. The proposed windows should tell a Biblical story that includes Old and New Testament incidents of particular significance. Also noted was, that the North side of the sanctuary reflect Old Testament references and the South wall depict New Testament scripture.This Committee visited many churches that had stained glass windows to compare the work of different artists. There was one definite conclusion from this exercise, that the work should suit the architecture of the Cochrane Street building. The windows should not be too modern nor too traditional.The next step was to invite several stained glass artisans to visit and discuss this project. The decision was made to work with Mr. Russell Goodman of Scarborough. The committee was impressed that Mr. Goodman’s talent was discovered in 1943, at the age of 18, sketching in the medium of pen and ink. He was creating his work along the north side of Lake Simcoe when a man from Robert McCausland’s Stained Glass Studios, on John Street in Toronto, approached the teen. After refusing an offer of an apprenticeship, Russell Goodman visited McCausland’s studio a few months later and was immediately excited at what he saw. Goodman took the job and his brilliant career as a stained glass designer and artist was launched. With the guidance of European artisans, he learned to paint on glass, draw full-scale cartoons from designs and also to cut glass. This European influence also included his becoming aware of the popularity of modern styles in his art form. Thus, at the age of 27, Goodman was designing and directing the installation of windows while continuing employment at McCausland Studio. In 1952, he entered an exhibition at the University of Toronto’s Hart House, and when the writer, Pearl McCarthy of the Globe & Mail Newspaper praised his work; Russell Goodman’s career soared to new heights. He designed and installed stained glass windows in St. John the Divine Church in Verdun, Quebec, twenty-eight huge windows in an extended care/ senior citizen’s home, Providence Villa Hospital on Warden Avenue, Scarborough, The Sisters of St. Joseph’s mother house on Bayview Avenue, and in St. Ansalm’s Church in Leaside, Toronto.Demand for his talents were so heavy, he decided to slow down the pace because the quality of his work was endangered. Mr. Goodman formed a family guild of stained glass artists. He moved to Ottawa, lived in a rented house and his whole family worked on twelve windows in the House of Commons. This was quite a change for the Goodman family! Mark, the eldest son, left school to help his mom and dad; the other two sons worked evenings and weekends. Nancy (Mrs. Goodman), a graduate of the Ontario College of Art, did much of the glass cutting and training of assistants. “I don’t know what I would have done without her.” Russell Goodman said. Ten of the windows in the House of Commons are more than two stories high. Each window represents one of Canada’s twelve provinces. If you visit his work, you would see that as the sun hits the inch-thick ‘chunk glass’ from which they are made, the coloured pieces glitter like gems. There are three to four thousand pieces in each ‘Goodman window’. The Ottawa project took three years to complete. Goodman’s son Chris and his wife Angela now carry on the Goodman family guild of originality and innovation.Another very interesting aspect of Russell Goodman’s career was an increasing devotion to Christianity. He didn’t begin his work as a religious man, but as he consulted with church committees, he was encouraged to study the faith, research scriptures and identify its symbols. In this process, he grew to love Christ. “I do believe very strongly,” he says. “How could I not? When you draw Christ as many times as I have, you get a feeling for Him.” He went on to explain that a stained glass window is “a message to people. What I’m really trying to do is give a sermon in the window.” That’s the man who is the artist and craftsman behind the St. Andrew’s windows. In the year 1989, Russell Goodman was named to the Order of Canada, in honour of the “exemplary merit” and “achievement” he had shown as a stained glass designer and artist. |
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