St. Andrew’s Brockley:
The New Cross Fire Memorial Window

In the early hours of Sunday 18th January 1981, a devastating fire broke out in a house in New Cross Road where a birthday party was taking place. 

The fourteen young black people who lost their lives as a result of the fire, and many of the families and survivors, where mostly known to the St. Andrew’s church community. This window was placed here in St. Andrew’s to honour that relationship.

The New Cross Fire Memorial Window was designed by stained glass artist Nicola Hopwood and installed here in 2002.

Designed from conversations and discussions with relatives of those who died, survivors, Rev Barry Carter MBE (who was the Minister of St. Andrew’s from 1975-2009 and whose Ministry continues to be greatly loved by this community), the church and community of St. Andrew’s; it was felt this window should be youthful and vibrant, forward looking, inclusive, spiritual and loving. The result is a colourful, rhythmic and modern window dancing with energy and light.

In the booklet produced for the unveiling of the window in 2002, Nicola Hopwood wrote: “From listening to those most closely involved, I realised that the work must acknowledge the pain and sadness of grief, shown by the deep rich colour lower in the central column. From here there is movement forwards and upwards, with caring support from friends, family and community in the three yellow aureole shapes, into an area of light and warmth. Clear space for memories float through the colour while the borders beat time.

Two lines from a prayer, used at the 21st annual memorial service, seem particularly relevant to this window:
lift us from the darkness of grief
to the peace and light of your presence.

Ever-changing daylight passing through this glass, with all its character and sparkle, will bring the window to life.

Through colour and line, I have used symbols which are open to interpretation - for each viewer to explore and find their own meaning. The exploration may take some time, but I hope this will be a window to which people can return often and find something new and refreshing.”

At. St. Andrew’s, we honour and remember those for whom this window is a memorial:

PATRICK CUMMINGS
September 21st 1964 - January 18th 1981 

ANDREW GOODING
February 18th 1966 - January 18th 1981 

PETER CAMPBELL
February 23rd 1962 - January 18th 1981 

GERRY PAUL FRANCIS
August 21st 1963 - January 18th 1981 

STEVE COLLINS
May 2nd 1963 - January 18th 1981 

PATRICIA JOHNSON
May 16th 1965 - January 18th 1981 

ROSALINE HENRY
September 23rd 1964 - January 18th 1981 

LLOYD HALL
November 28th 1960 - January 18th 1981 

HUMPHREY GEOFFREY BROWN
July 4th 1962 - January 18th 1981  

OWEN THOMPSON
September 11th 1964 - January 18th 1981 

YVONNE RUDDOCK
January 17th 1965 - January 24th 1981

GLENTON POWELL
January 18th 1966 - January 25th 1981 

PAUL RUDDOCK
November 19th 1958 - February 9th 1981 

ANTHONY BERBECK
August 17th 1962 - July 9th 1983