On Sunday June 11th, 1915 the Bishop of Willesden dedicated three stained glass windows in S. Francis Chapel. They were presented by two members of the congregation, one of whom was the artist of the windows. (Monthly Paper, June 1915). The window depicting San Francesco (S. Francis of Assisi) shows him holding an open book and in the panel below there is a shield containing a crucifix surrounded by angel wings. The other main window depicts Santa Chiara (S. Clare) holding an open book and a crozier and in the panel below there is a shield showing a chalice and host surrounded by an areola. These windows are from the workshop of Henry Victor Milner. He insisted that the figures were in grey habits and so used grey glass, as he had read that in Italy this was the colour used by the Franciscans. Also the grey glass was in harmony with the other colours.

In the roof of the chapel is an oculi which has a window depicting seven identical angels.

Henry Milner was born in Hampstead in 1866
Milner lived in Haverstock Hill with a workshop attached to his house, situated opposite the Dominican Priory. His work was very much in the style of the Gothic Revival. He had also worked with Burlison & Grylls. Michael Kerney reports that, in his investigations through 'Builder' and 'The Building News', Milner was invariably used by Temple Moore in his churches and there seem to be few independent commissions by Milner recorded. Milner’s glass is noted in many churches (or restorations) by Moore between 1887 and 1908.
Walter Leach, who worked for Milner until 1944, describes him as a wonderful man and considered by many in the stained glass world to be the best craftsman of his day. Walter Leach says that he always felt that it was an honour to work for him and considers that he was treated more like a son than an employee.
Although crippled by arthritis, Milner attended S. Silas Church in a wheelchair until he moved to live in the countryside near Whipsnade. Milner only used the best glass and his work can often be distinguished by his use of dark purple glass, as seen in our windows. Reliable information has revealed that the reredos and canopy of the Chapel of Saint Thomas of Canterbury was also designed and executed by Henry Victor Milner, as was the panel on the front of the Lady Chapel Altar. Milner studied the script used on the tomb of Richard II in Westminster Abbey and used that style for the reredos. Acknowledgement to Walter Leach for details of the life of Henry Victor Milner.

Other stained glass windows by Milner can be found at:-
Minster Church of All Saints, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. It is a three lancet window depicting the first three Bishops of York, Chad, Paulinus and Wilfred.
All Saints, Oval Way, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire (1912-13) by Temple Moore.
St Mary, Sledgmere, East Yorkshire (1893-8) by Temple Moore.
St James, Bramley, Hampshire. A three light window dated 1887. Also a triptych behind the altar painted in 1885.
St Mary St Giles & All Saints, Canwell, Staffordshire.
St Matthew, Ponders End, Enfield, Middlesex.
St Peter & St Paul, Kimpton, Herts.
St John the Baptist, Great Amwell, Herts.
St Mary, Primrose Hill, London.
All Saints, Tooting (Graveney), London.
St Augustine, Gillingham, Kent.
St Mary, Hendon, London.