The Herbert Spencer Memorial Window, Christchurch, Barnet

Christchurch, Barnet

Herbert Spencer was the foremost pulmonary pathologist of his generation, with a primary interest in the histopathology of lung disease, particularly the elucidation of tumours of the lower respiratory tract. A pathologist who was constantly in demand, Spencer spent a lot of his life lecturing and examining around the world.
On the majority of these trips he was accompanied by his wife, Eileen whom he married in 1940.



Although his life was sharply focused on his work, he was completely devoted to his family. Equally he practised a total belief in Christian values - a belief which found expression in his practical, professional support of missionary hospitals around the world.
His work and his family were the centre of his life. In his all too brief spare time he relaxed by pursuing his interests in gardening, walking and listening to classical music - pleasures he shared with his wife. He is survived by his wife Eileen, with whom he shared a deep Christian belief, and four children.
The Herbert Spencer Memorial Window was given to Christchurch, Barnet, by Herbert Spencer's wife, Mrs Eileen Spencer, and other members of the family.

Description of the window

The window portrays elements from the life of St Luke the evangelist and also Professor Herbert Spencer who was a long-standing member of the parish and in whose memory the window was dedicated. Some common elements can be seen to link the lives of the two men.
The right hand light: This lancet narrates important aspects of the life of St Luke. St Luke was an evangelist, the writer of the Gospel and concerned to give an accurate account of the life of Jesus. He was a doctor, who travelled with Paul on some of his missionary journeys. Luke wrote the Acts of the Apostles describing the continuing ministry of Jesus through the Apostles, after Jesus had ascended to heaven.
At the base he is portrayed writing letters. Above the Bible containing his gospel is depicted. Moving further upwards, a map indicates the many travels of St Luke as a missionary. Then looking above, the story of the Good Samaritan is depicted - one of Jesus' best known parables, recounted by Luke.



The left hand light: This refers to the life and work of Herbert Spencer. He was a member of the Crusaders organisation - so their emblem, a white shield with a red cross, is shown at the base. On a top corner of the shield perches a nightingale, a reference to Florence Nightingale's St Thomas's Hospital Westminster (Lambeth) where Herbert Spencer worked as Professor of Pathology. He was also a writer and he produced two books on his work, depicted here as two purple covered volumes. The next image, a microscope with slides show the essential tools of his profession.



Above that, a lecturer in white coat is shown with a group of students. Although this is not an actual portrait of Professor Spencer, it indicates that teaching was a very important part of his work and an area which he especially loved. Finally, a group of flags depicts the countries where Herbert Spencer had contacts and worked with their students. These flags represent the countries with which he had close connections. They are, reading from left to right and progressing upwards, the national flags of Iran, Venezuela, Colombia, Japan, India, Malawi and the United Kingdom.