\n The Pollokshields-born stained glass artist, who died in the First World War, is rarely celebrated in his home city, but he is considered one of Scotland\u2019s biggest talents in the field.\n<\/p>\n
\n Alf Webster (Image: Newsquest)\n<\/p>\n
\n A detail of the stained glass window, showing Alf Webster’s signature. (Image: Gordon Terris\/Newsquest)\n<\/p>\n
\n Plans for the Alf Webster Museum of Stained Glass<\/a>, announced today, are being spearheaded by heritage charity Fact Three, which has been working tirelessly since 2013 to repair and conserve the historic building.\n<\/p>\n \n The museum is one component of several new uses secured for the building, which is also home to the Stand Comedy Club<\/a>, Kelvin Bar and Websters Theatre<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \n Born in Pollokshields on Glasgow\u2019s south side in 1883, Webster started work as a shipbroker\u2019s clerk when he left school at the age of 14. He married Maude Cochrane when they were both just 18.\n<\/p>\n \n He enrolled in evening classes in the Glasgow School of Art<\/a>, where he studied architecture, drawing and painting, and took his first classes in stained glass.\n<\/p>\n \n \n \n It was an exciting time to be at the GSA, with influential individuals such as architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh<\/a>, artistic tutor the symbolist Jean Delville, and artists Ann Macbeth and Jessie Newbery studying or teaching there.\n<\/p>\n \n In 1904, Webster began an apprenticeship at Stephen Adam Senior\u2019s studio at 168 Bath Street in the city centre, known as the Adam Studio. After Adam died in 1910, Webster took over the studio and he went on to create works for churches in Orkney<\/a> and St Andrews and, in December 1914, the McCowan and Templeton windows at Lansdowne Parish Church.\n<\/p>\n \n In February 2015, with the First World War raging across Europe (and around a month after his third son was born), Webster signed up with the Gordon Highlanders. After three months training in Aberdeen<\/a> he was sent to the front lines.\n<\/p>\n \n \n \n Sadly, that is where he lost his life, aged just 31, from injuries sustained in battle at Ypres. He left behind Maude and three sons – Martyn, George and Alfred. The then Glasgow Herald said in its obituary of him he was \u201cone of the most accomplished younger Scots artists in stained glass.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n The Lansdowne building, designed by Glasgow architect John Honeyman, houses two stained glass windows by Webster: the McCowan window, which depicts the events of Holy Week, and the Templeton window, which depicts the life of Christ in eight large scenes.\n<\/p>\n \n The McCowan window has required a substantial year-long restoration effort by accredited local stained glass conservation specialists before being reinstalled.\n<\/p>\n \n Scheduled to open to the public early in 2027, the museum project has been supported by key partners including The National Lottery Heritage<\/a> Fund, Glasgow City Heritage Trust and the Architectural Heritage Fund.\n<\/p>\n \n \n \n David Robertson, trustee of Fact Three said the new museum, with its intimate, eye-level access to the restored windows, viewing gallery and heritage room, would be a \u201cunique cultural landmark\u201d for Glasgow.\n<\/p>\n \n He added: \u201cThe city between 1864 and 1914 was one of the main workshops of the world, and stained glass designers and studios in Glasgow were internationally famous, not least through the creation of ship interiors for Clyde-built liners.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n He added: \u201cStained glass of international quality can be found throughout the public, ecclesiastical and residential buildings within and around the city and this is a heritage that deserves to be celebrated.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n Mr Robertson paid tribute to the tireless work of the conservators and volunteers who have made the project possible \u201cthrough their shared passion for the works of Alf Webster\u201d, and thanked the key partners.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cWithout these twin pillars of support, Glasgow was at risk of losing unique and historical displays of 20th century art and craftsmanship,\u201d he added.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cInstead, we can now prepare to showcase the legacy of Alf Webster to the world.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n Mr Robertson also called for more support from interested parties, including funders, groups and individuals, as the project takes shape.\n<\/p>\n \n \n \n \u201cToday is an important milestone,\u201d he said. \u201cHowever, while much significant effort is behind us, further hard work lies ahead.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cOur ambition to establish and open the Alf Webster Museum of Stained Glass will only be fully realised with more collaboration and support.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n Dr Karen Mailley, research and outreach lead for the project, said: \u201cThe Alf Webster Museum of Stained Glass will be dedicated to the research and presentation of the city\u2019s stained glass.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cWe are fortunate in having one of the few UK ICON accredited conservator-restorers, Rab MacInnes, who is a British Society of Master Glass Painters Member, living and working near to the project.\n<\/p>\nThe former Lansdowne Church in Glasgow’s West End. (Image: Gordon Terris\/Newsquest)\n<\/p>\n
The stained glass window inside the former Lansdowne Church (Image: Gordon Terris\/Newsquest)\n<\/p>\n
Work on the stained glass windows has been painstaking. (Image: Alf Webster Museum of Stained Glass)\n<\/p>\n
Stained glass specialists worked on the project. (Image: Alf Webster Museum of Stained Glass)\n<\/p>\n
The church will be home to a new museum dedicated to Scotland’s stained glass craft. (Image: Alf Webster Museum of Stained Glass)\n<\/p>\n
David Robertson (Image: Gordon Terris\/Newsquest)\n<\/p>\n
The former Lansdowne Church, where the new museum will be based. (Image: Gordon Terris\/Newsquest)\n<\/p>\n
The church windows have been painstakingly restored. (Image: Alf Webster Museum of Stained Glass)\n<\/p>\n