This is a partial list of works by English stained glass artist, Karl Parsons (1884–1934), for churches and cathedrals.
In writing about his craft Parsons wrote that to be worthy of it the stained glass artist had to have "a vocation for his job. He must be an artist who loves glass, the look and the feel and the mystery of it. But, above all, he must be an artist with knowledge of, and respect for, the traditions of his craft". Parsons described stained glass as "the most perfect art form known".
Works The partial list of Parson's works is sorted by date.
ImageLocationDate(s)Subject, notes and referencesSt Alban's Church Hindhead, Surrey1908 to 1910In what was his first independent commission, Parsons completed five windows for this church. In 1908 he executed a two-light window depicting "Christ the Healer". In 1909, he completed the East window, a four-light window depicting the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Crucifixion and "Noli me Tangere". In the same year he completed a two-light window on the theme "Feed my Sheep". The left hand light is inscribed "Feed my sheep" and the right hand light "In the midst of the throne". Again in 1909 he made a two-light window which features a mother and child in the left hand light with the inscription "Thou shalt call his name Jesus" and in the right hand light we see Jesus with some children and this bears the inscription "He blessed them". Finally in 1910 he executed the window with the theme "Holy Communion" or "Celebrating Mass". Saint Bertha, Queen of Kent, William of Wykeham and the Bishop of Winchester all kneel whilst two children receive communion.St Alban Hindhead Black Faced Sheep Website. Retrieved 3 September 2012 See image in gallery shown courtesy Barkingtips.St George’s Cathedral,Cape Town, South Africa1908–1909The five apse windows were commissioned from Whall and Parsons in 1908 Cape Town work St Mary's Church.Alsager website. Retrieved 3 September 2012 but only four were completed by 1909 and the fifth was entirely Parsons’ work. This fifth window depicts the Adoration of the Magi in the lower part of the two lights and the Visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon in the upper part. Parsons was to make another window for this Cathedral that being a single light in St David’s Chapel in 1918/9 and was later commissioned to design a window for the north transept. The work on this window had to be carried out by Edward Woore after Parsons’ death. Apart from his work in the Cathedrals of Cape Town and Johannesburg, Parsons also completed windows for a church in Potchefstroom, South Africa and another in Salisbury, Zimbabwe "Stained Glass in South Africa", published by William Waterman Publications of Rivonia in 1994, John Oxley wrote "Parson's first contact with South Africa came in 1908 when Herbert Baker commissioned Whall's studio to design and make the apse windows for St George's Cathedral." An article in an English art magazine emphasised the difference in the qualities of light between England and Cape Town where "windows must be constructed to shut out the glare as well as admit the light". The article continued "Mr Parsons has met this requirement by using the deepest colours it was possible to secure, more especially employing reds, purples and blues. The effect attained was extremely rich and sustained."All Saints Church St Andrews, Fife1910Parsons was responsible for the large window in the north transept entitled "This honour have all his saints". In Parsons' window there is an emphasis on Scottish saints in particular, and the central light contains a representation of St Andrew's Cathedral. In the larger figures the following saints are represented: Lower row, left, Saints Medana, Andrew, and Kennocha; right, Saints Ninian, Margaret and Patrick. Upper row, left, Saints Maura, Bridget, and Kentigerm; right, Saints Mund, Wilfred, and Columba. St George can be found among the smaller figures grouped above.All Saints' St Andrews All Saints' website. Retrieved 3 September 2012St Mary the Virgin Norwood Green Southall