St Clement was the fourth Bishop of Rome. According to ancient sources, he was banished to the Crimea by the emperor Trajan, where he was compelled to work in the mines. It was there that he opened up a miraculous supply of water and so converted the people of the Crimea, where 75 churches were built. Trajan therefore ordered him to be killed (around the year 100 AD) by being thrown into the sea with an anchor round his neck. His bones were apparently rediscovered and were taken to Rome from the Black Sea in 868. Clement is generally shown either with an anchor, or a tiara, or a cross with three branches.

This window is situated in the nave of the church. The word “nave” comes from the Latin for ship and many naves are actually designed to resemble the upturned hull of a ship. The Church often feels like a boat being tossed on the storms of life (Matthew 22:22-33). The image of St Clement reminds us that faith is like an anchor when we are being lashed by bad weather – it will hold with God’s help, and all will be well.