On 15th September 1963, fifty years ago today, a bomb exploded in the basement of the 16th Avenue Baptist Church in Birmingham Alabama. Four young girls in the Sunday school were killed as a result of the explosion and many more were injured.
This mindless act of violence occurred at the height of the civil rights movement and the sense of outrage that followed was, according to historians a major turning point in bringing forward legislation that in 1964 would seek to end racial segregation throughout the USA.
John Petts was an artist living at Llanstephan at the time felt he had to do something to express his sympathy and solidarity with the people of Alabama who had already suffered so much. He had an idea of replacing one of the stained glass windows in the church which had been destroyed in the explosion.
A newspaper of the day shared his vision and an appeal was made and a fund set up; the maximum donation being two shillings and sixpence (around 12.5p in today’s currency). This ensured that people from all walks of life were able to contribute and press reports of the day tell of children queuing to give their pocket money and people of all ages anxious and willing to donate.
Within two years John Petts had delivered his gift from Wales, a heart-warming image of a black Jesus beneath a rainbow of racial unity; his right arm pushing away hatred and injustice, the left offering forgiveness.
The church in Alabama will this week remember that day with tears and sadness as memories of those little girls are rekindled. They will also bring to mind a smaller nation thousands of miles away whose big heart was so moved with love and compassion that this gift of hope and reconciliation was soon made.
Since that time the ‘Wales’ window as it has become known has become a symbol not only of faith but of hope in a future free from the evils of racism and prejudice. Fifty years later those values which were expressed in such a lovely act of generosity remain at the heart of our nation and at the heart of all people of good will –
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God’
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