photo by Campbell Craig

There is no Watercolour design drawing for this window.


Position: All Hallows: North side

Historical Background

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF ISABELLA COUTTS CORSON
WIFE OF THE REV ROBERT McCLELLAND, MINISTER OF INCHINNAN.  BORN 26 OCT 1859
DIED 15 FEB 1918

See Gravestone 4

The Glasgow Herald, Monday, February 18th., 1918. Death notice:-
“McCLELLAND.- At The Manse, Inchinnan, on the 15th of February, Isabella Coutts Corson, beloved wife of Robert McClelland, Minister of Inchinnan. Funeral to Inchinnan Churchyard on Wednesday first, 20th February; service in All-Hallows Church, Inchinnan, at 2.30 p.m.Carriages leave Renfrew Cross at 2 p.m.; the only intimation and invitation.”

Donated by: Congregation and Friends
Date: Unknown
Style: Two Light Window
Designer: Unknown
Maker: James Powell and Sons

Biblical Text:
“By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons: and worshipped as he leaned on the top of his staff.”

Hebrews 11: 20 & 21

 

Isaac was the only son of Abraham and Sarah, and father of Esau and Jacob. Although Sarah was past the age of childbearing, God promised Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son and Isaac was born. Isaac had two sons, Jacob and Esau, and it was the tradition for the family blessing to be given to the young generation by the patriarch of the family when he was near death. In the window Isaac is portrayed as someone very unwell. His posture, clothing and face all suggest advanced debility, even his hands look very still. His expression is of weariness and the whiteness of the top of his head accentuates this feeling of grave illness. The two figures are difficult to interpret but the young man outside carrying an animal could suggest provision for the future which is his wish for his family in the future. The other figure is hovering over him and might be connected with impending death.

Jacob was considered the traditional ancestor of the people of Israel. In this scene Jacob looking very thoughtful stands with his right hand raised in blessing for the sons of his son Joseph. This was the traditional family blessing of a dying man for his family, in particularly grandsons. Tradition is that the eldest son should be blessed first but Jacob blessed Joseph’s younger son first. His posture, leaning on his staff, and the expression leads us to realise that he had given deep thought to the action he was taking.

This window was donated by the congregation of All Hallows Church in memory of Isabella Coutts Corson (1855-1918), the wife of Rev Robert McClelland (1849-1919) who was the minister of Inchinnan church from 1881–1919. He was the minister at the time of the rebuilding of the church and officiated at the opening of All Hallows Church in 1904.

Rev McClelland wrote a book The Church and Parish of Inchinnan: A Brief History which was published in 1905. His wife Isabella was the daughter of a minister in Girvan and from what can be ascertained the McClellands were a much loved couple who dedicated their lives to the parish of Inchinnan.


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