A SPECIALLY designed stained glass window has been installed in Hullavington church in memory of the Rev Audrey Maddock, one of the first women to be ordained into the Anglican church.

Bishop Barry Rogerson who officiated at Mrs Maddock's ordination in 1994 in Bristol Cathedral, dedicated the window at a service earlier this month.

Mrs Maddock died in February 2006 aged 78 from a brain haemorrhage. She had been in poor health and had a heart problem.

The idea for the window came from Mrs Maddock's widower Geoffrey, 85, who had heard a window in the 12th century St Mary Magdalene Church needed replacing.

He commissioned artist Peter Berry to create the £5,000 window, which took over a year to make.

Mr Maddock said: "I thought that would be a nice idea to have a window dedicated to Audrey because it's where she used to take Holy Communion.

"I had a bit of design input in the centre and I think of it being a woman. It's like my wife Audrey is looking down on me.

"Audrey was well known in her church role and also in the village. People came from all over to say goodbye."

Mrs Maddock was still working as a priest when she died and her ashes were scattered in Hullavington crematorium.

Churchwarden and friend Una McDonald said: "Audrey was just a lovely gentle lady and someone that you would see as being quite retiring in her manner.

"But she was also somebody who people looked at and remembered she had actually made history.

"The parish church dates back to 1100 so the new modern design of the window looks great set against that.

"The ceremony was a lovely celebration of Audrey's life."