Last updated 13:36, Thursday, 13 March 2008

Stained glass was his abiding interest in life and when it came to the windows in Carlisle Cathedral, Canon Arthur Penn was the acknowledged expert.

Faithful service: Pictured at his induction as vicar of Brampton in 1967, Arthur Penn served in the Carlisle Diocese for more than 30 years

Those who share an interest in this highly specialised subject and craft will know of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society publication, The Stained Glass in the Churches of the Anglican Diocese of Carlisle, and they will also know of Arthur William Penn’s invaluable contribution to it. His expertise in the field is acknowledged by the compiler of the book, Leslie N S Smith.

Aged 85 when he died, Canon Penn was very well known as a priest in many parts of Cumbria, where he served for more than 30 years. He studied at Manchester University, where he gained his BA degree in 1949 and went on to further study at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.

Ordained deacon in 1951 and priest 12 months later he served as curate at Alston with Garrigill and as vicar of Kirkdale, before becoming vicar of Brampton from 1967 to 83. He also served as rural dean of Brampton from 74 to 83 and as priest in charge at Gilsland and Nether Denton from 81 to 83.

In 1983 he become vicar of Rockcliffe and Blackford and he remained there until he retired in 1988, when he was appointed a Canon Emeritus of Carlisle Cathedral. In retirement he lived in Carnforth and it was there, in St Oswald’s Church, Warton, that his funeral service took place.

His time as vicar of Brampton must have been particularly fulfilling, for there, in St Martin’s Church, are several splendid late 19th-century early 20th-century windows designed by Edward Burne-Jones and manufactured by William Morris. Canon Penn compiled and published informative notes about them.