The Bates Windows (South 5 & 6) This pair of windows depict two scenes from Jesus’ early life. Zacharias and Elisabeth were the parents of a baby boy whom the family was expecting to be named after his father, but an angel had told them that the child should be called John. Zacharias was to be dumb until he accepted the word of the angel. In the temple, Elisabeth confirmed the child's name as John, and when father was consulted, he asked for a slate (seen in his hand) and wrote ‘John’. Immediately his speech was restored, and he recited the well-known verses "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel" which we used to say each week at Morning Prayer. The window on the left shows Jesus as a 12 year-old having been found by his parents after three days of searching.  This is one of the examples of Jesus' human side, because which self-respecting twelve year old won't go off and do his own thing and tell his mother afterwards?   “Why were you worried?   You knew I would be alright"   Both these stories are told by Luke in his Gospel.   The inscriptions read: ”To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Ellen devoted wife of William Bates who departed this life August 8^th 1915”. ”To the glory of God and in loving memory of William Bates who departed this life August 11^th 1922.  A Sides-man of this Church Easter 1901 until the time of his death”. Made with Xara Web Designer The Parish of St. Paul Oldham