We had a delightful surprise this summer: German historical novelist Rebecca Gablé got in touch to say that a design using quotations from 2 Timothy 4:7 taken from one of St Martin’s stained-glass windows has been used as the edge painting on her new book — and the image has set off quite a buzz on social media in Germany.

Rebecca wrote to say she first thought the artwork was the work of her publisher’s designers, but when she recognised the words of St Paul she began to investigate and traced the design back to our church. Hundreds of readers have reacted with enthusiasm — in some cases discussing the artwork more avidly than the novel itself.

We were happy to help. In reply we sent Rebecca photos and a short history of the window: it is a memorial to Henry William Pitcher VC, who won the Victoria Cross in India in 1863. After his death his widow, Emilie (Emilie Selina Augusta Chapman), later married the Reverend Thomas Le Neveu, then Rector of St Martin; it was during his time that the Pitcher memorial window was installed. The Victoria Cross is the UK’s highest gallantry award, and the window is one small but moving thread in the long tapestry of St Martin le Vieux — a place of worship on this hill since at least the 11th century, with evidence of worship here going back even earlier.

Rebecca kindly offered to send a copy of the book, which now sits in the Vestry — even though it’s in German — and asked if she might share our photos with her followers. We were more than happy for her to do so.

It’s a wonderful reminder that our little parish and its windows have stories that travel — sometimes quite a long way. If you visit Germany and spot the book in a shop take a peek at the edge painting and remember the people and history behind it.