The Walton Window

This beautiful stained glass window can be found in George Square United Reformed Church, Greenock.  It is in memory of the Walton family who were heavily involved with the Church.  Utrick Walton (1817-1885) and his wife Elizabeth Dickinson (1818-1884) came from Alston, Cumbria and settled in Greenock about 1844.  He worked for H M Customs at the Custom House in Greenock.

From a congregational background, the family attended the newly built congregational church in George Square.  Utrick took an active part in church affairs and became Superintendent of the Congregational Sabbath School and church treasurer.  He was also involved in the Seamen's Friends Society and other organisations in the town.  He was presented with a special gift by the congregation to mark 40 years of "long and unwearied service" to the church.

Utrick and Elizabeth had five children.  Their son Joseph died in 1858 aged just 10.  Two other sons - Francis (Frank) (1857-1914) was a clerk in Greenock and John Dickinson (1848-1921) was a sugar broker.  Their only daughter, Mary (1854-1924) lived with her brothers in Greenock.  (It was pointed out to me that there are five faces in blue at the bottom of the window, perhaps these represent the children.)

Another son Thomas Utrick Walton (1854-1917) worked in Greenock's sugar refineries.  In 1881 he emigrated to Sydney, Australia where he worked as a senior chemist at the Colonial Sugar Refining Company.  He married Mary Hamilton and lived at Burwood, a suburb of Sydney.  The couple had three daughters and a son.  

You can see a retort flask in the stained glass window, probably in connection with Thomas.  Before he left Greenock he was presented with a gold watch by members of the George Square congregation in acknowledgement of his service to the church, especially with regard to music.

This window is a beautiful reminder of the members of the Walton family who gave much of their time and energy in serving not just their Church, but also the people of Greenock.

The window was the work of William Meikle & Sons of Glasgow.