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Texas Churches That Stained Glass Enthusiasts Will Love

November 5, 2018 in Church And Religious Stained Glass

For centuries, stained glass has been the dominating art form used in religious architecture. Since Early Egyptian times, humankind has used colored glass to bring beauty and elegance to religious settings. As attendees of morning mass and religious ceremonies stand beneath the vibrant, light reflecting windows, they are filled with a sense of wonder and inspiration. Just seeing the stained glass itself is almost a spiritual experience.

Today, beautiful stained glass windows adorn churches and cathedrals across the globe. Notable works include Sainte-Chapelle, Notre Dame de Paris, La Sagrada Familia, and more. But you don’t have to go far to see beautiful stained glass. In fact, there are many churches in the United States that have breathtaking stained glass windows.

If you’re a fan of stained glass or a church that’s seeking inspiration you’ll love these Texas churches with stained glass windows.

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How to Get Started with Your Church’s Antique Stained Glass Restoration Project

November 2, 2018 in Aggrigate, Church Stained Glass Restoration

Numerous churches across the United States are now seeing the signs of deterioration among their treasured, antique stained glass windows. Deterioration can present itself in a multitude of different ways– from cracked glass to missing glass pieces, disintegrating lead came, white film, and much more, these all signify that your religious stained glass is ready for restoration. Restoration is usually recommended when stained glass reaches the age of 75 years to 100 years old. It can definitely be an intimidating process, so we’re happy to help.

The Assessment of Stained Glass Restoration for Your Church’s Antique Stained Glass Windows

If you’re wondering how to get started on stained glass restoration, it all begins with identifying deterioration and determining if your stained glass is a candidate. Finding a trustworthy, well-experienced stained glass artisan is the next step. This stained glass repair studio should have numerous years of experience in addition to requiring an on-site assessment to determine project costs and timelines. If a stained glass studio offers you a quote without seeing your stained glass in person, this is not a good sign. Restoration estimates require in-person evaluation in order to properly determine the causes of deterioration in addition to creating a custom restoration plan. This simply cannot be done without an on-site assessment.

Benefits of Stained Glass Restoration for Church Antique Stained Glass Windows

Stained glass restoration offers so many benefits that any church can take advantage of. From preserving antique value to ensuring future generations are inspired as well, restoration can return your antique stained glass windows to their original condition. Many congregation members are shocked after re-installation of properly restored stained glass windows– the luminosity and vibrancy of colors are truly jaw-dropping. Restoration can add another 100 years to your stained glass’ lifespan.

For more information regarding stained glass restoration for your church’s antique stained glass, please contact us!

The History Of Stained Glass In the US

October 16, 2018 in Aggrigate, Church Stained Glass Restoration

American Stained Glass

As you likely well know, stained glass is a very old form of art dating back over a thousand years. The stained glass in our country obviously not quite that old but does have a history nearly as long as the European settlers to the US.  Here at Church Stained Glass Restoration, we take great pride in our own rich history for over 25 years here in the US and wanted to enlighten our readers with a brief history of American stained glass.

Church Stained Glass:  The Beginning Of Stained Glass In The US

Although glass making was first set up in Jamestown in 1607– the industry did not stick.  However, the first record of church stained glass is much later is not surprisingly a reference to an unpaid invoice for stained glass on a local chapel.  It is not surprising since church stained glass has long played a role in stained glass proliferation. The first reference to church stained glass is a complaint written by an enterprising stained glass artist named Duyckingh requesting a payment of 2.5 beavers as payment for church stained glass he had installed. However, it would be quite a while from here before stained glass on churches and homes took hold in  America due to declining trends and the expense of glass in the new world

Innovations In Church And Home Stained Glass In The US

It is around 1857 with the establishment of J&R Lamb Studios in New York City that we really see stained glass catch hold..  This was the first major decorative arts studio in the United States and for quite a few years they produced the majority of the ecclesiastical stained glass.

From here on we see stained glass in the US grow and a real push towards innovation with renowned American craftsman like:

John La Farge (1835–1910): He Invented opalescent glass and received a U.S. patent for it in 1880

Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933): He Received a number of patents for variations of the opalescent process and is rumored to have invented the copper foil method as an alternative to lead.  This can be seen extensively in Tiffany windows, lamps and other decorations.

Charles J. Connick (1875-1945):  Founded his Boston studio in 1913 and was heavily influenced by his study of medieval stained glass in Europe. Connick created hundreds of windows throughout the USA, including major glazing schemes at Princeton University Chapel and at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Memorial Chapel.

All of these artists and many more led to the creation of many beautiful stained glass cathedrals, churches and a lot of the home stained glass we see here in the United States today.  For more information on stained glass for your home or church or for stained glass restoration contact us at Church Stained Glass Restoration today.

 

 

 

5 Examples of Beautiful Stained Glass in Utah

October 5, 2018 in Aggrigate, Church And Religious Stained Glass

Utah is definitely a state that appreciates the beauty and allure of stained glass. Some of the most beautiful stained glass in the world can be found housed in Utah’s various houses of worship, schools, military bases, and many other property types. For those in Utah seeking inspiration for their very own custom stained glass piece, they don’t need to look far. Here are our top five favorite stained glass collections found in Utah.

Our Favorite Stained Glass Collections Found in Utah

The Hill Air Force Base Chapel has a custom stained glass feature that’s in memorial of the 384th Bomb Group. This supportive memorial piece is nonreligious showcasing a modern piece of art that differs from the usual usage of stained glass. Utah Valley University has one of our most favorite stained glass collections– it houses an entire stained glass collection devoted to “the root of knowledge” featuring scientific imagery, space art, elements of nature, and much more. Episcopal Cathedral of St. Mark showcases Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. These gorgeous, colorful stained glass windows are over 10 feet high and are housed in Utah’s second oldest house of worship. The Joseph Smith Memorial Building has a noteworthy stained glass ceiling that’s very intricate and full of interesting color pops. The Old Union Pacific Terminal has an excellent example of painted glass that showcases a colorful train.

Taking Inspiration from Utah’s Outstanding Stained Glass Collection for Your Custom Religious Stained Glass Project

Utah definitely knows how to utilize stained glass across any industry and application. Taking inspiration from these amazing masterpieces can definitely improve the results of your custom religious stained glass project. Custom stained glass offers a multitude of benefits for any house of worship.

For more information regarding custom stained glass for your house of worship, please contact us!

Bingham Lutheran Church Restoration Project

September 24, 2018 in Aggrigate, Church Stained Glass Restoration

Our dedicated team of stained glass artisans recently completed a stained glass restoration project for Bingham Lutheran Church. This quaint church is located in Nebraska and houses eight donated stained glass windows that were each donated by a local family that all reside in the small community. Bingham Lutheran Church reached out to us with concerns regarding the exterior appearance of their stained glass windows that were installed 70 years ago. After conducting our thorough assessment of their religious antique stained glass, we were able to determine the causes of deterioration and create a custom-tailored restoration plan.

Before picture of Bingham Lutheran Church’s stained glass window from the exterior.

Stained Glass Restoration Process for Bingham Lutheran Church

Our on-site assessment found that the plexiglass that was installed on the exterior of the stained glass windows were the root cause of deterioration. The exterior wood framing that caused initial concern required fresh paint and minor restoration work, but the plexiglass had caused warping of the stained glass itself. The permanent plexiglass also made the wood framing inaccessible for regular upkeep. We determined that their eight stained glass windows would require restoration within the next ten years. After providing a cost-benefit analysis of what the restoration project would cost now versus in five years, Bingham Lutheran Church decided to save about 20% by being proactive and completing the restoration now.

Bingham Lutheran Church reached out to each of the families that had donated the stained glass windows for fundraising efforts. Each family decided to fund the restoration costs for the original window they donated. In an effort to keep costs down, the church formed a workgroup to conduct the restorations of the exterior window frames while we restored their stained glass back at our repair studio. By sanding, painting, and staining the window frames, the church was able to save $12,000.

Stained Glass Restoration Results for Bingham Lutheran Church

We were able to successfully restore all eight windows and reinstall them in 12 weeks. By removing the plexiglass and replacing it with a clear plate glass that was directly installed in front of the stained glass, the exterior wood frames are now on a regular five-year paint cycle. The clear plate glass also allows access for regular upkeep and won’t trap in heat. Now Bingham Lutheran Church’s newly restored stained glass windows can continue to inspire their community for at least another hundred years.

After picture once the restoration of Bingham Lutheran Church’s stained glass and wood frames were completed.

For more information regarding religious stained glass restoration for your church, please contact us!

Does the Stained Glass in My Church Really Need Repair?

August 8, 2018 in Church Stained Glass Restoration

Houses of worship are meant to provide a physical connection between the congregation and their religious inspiration, encouraging beautiful, meaningful prayer and worship as much inspired by the beauty of our church’s surroundings as we are by the words of our community’s religious leaders. Stained glass often serves as a focal point, but eventually, stained glass repair is required to maintain the pristine appearance of your church. But how can you tell when your church needs stained glass repair?

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Sure-Fire Signs Your Church’s Stained Glass Needs Repair or Restoration

July 12, 2018 in Aggrigate, Church And Religious Stained Glass

Stained Glass Is Durable But Still Needs Regular Restoration And Repair

Stained glass is a very durable material and lovely when colored with paints, pigments, and dyes. This also makes it a wonderful artistic medium for decorating churches with an ethereal flair. Just because stained glass is durable –it is far from everlasting. In fact, church stained glass windows should be repaired or restored every 80-100 years. If are wondering how to know if your church’s stained glass needs repair, read on to discover 3 surefire signs to look for on your chapel’s stained glass. And whether you may need restoration to keep it looking lovely and intact for your congregation for decades to come.

Gaps In Your Church’s Stained Glass Window That Show Daylight

An obvious sign it is time to repair your church stained glass is when you see visible gaps of light through your window. They could be small or large and you will find them between the glass and leading or frame. These gaps appear because of stretching lead and the real problem with this is–the surrounding glass panels are no longer held securely in place. The possibility of a piece of glass falling out of the window is pretty good and stained glass professional should be called in to take a look.

Buckling, Bowing And Sagging Of Your Church’s Stained Glass

If the stained glass windows in your church are buckling, bowing, bulging or sagging, your windows are definitely in need of repair and could even collapse. This, of course, is a worst case scenario but falling glass could really hurt a church parishioner and the threat, therefore, be taken seriously. This type of damage has almost nothing to do with the glass but rather the wood frame, which has been expanding and contracting over time breaking down. In the long run, these rapid shifts in the structure of the frame take a big toll on the lead and cause it to lose strength. This is an issue that needs to be repaired soon to immediately.

Chips And Cracks In Your Church’s Stained Glass

The least “dangerous” and most frequent damage to church stained glass windows is to chips and cracks in the glass. This fix is not pressing for safety reasons but does affect the beauty and luster of your church’s stained glass. Keep in mind that some cracks are actually an indicator of “stress zones” in the glass from a failing frame. If you start to notice cracks getting bigger or more popping up, contact a professional stained glass repair company like Church Stained Glass Restoration,

For more information on church stained glass restoration watch the video below:

For more information on church, chapel, synagogue or mosque stained glass repair and restoration contact Church Stained Glass Restoration today!

What Is Scottish Stained Glass?

July 5, 2018 in Church And Religious Stained Glass

While stained glass can be found all over the world, perhaps the most notable examples reside in Europe, in the countries of France, Italy, Germany, and the UK. In the United Kingdom, stained glass grew greatly in prominence due to the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, a famous stained glass artisan who designed stained glass windows for architectural projects in Glasgow, Scotland, one of which was the Glasgow School of Art. For this reason, Glasgow is largely considered to be one of the stained glass capitals of the world, and its manufacture is still practiced there today.

Glasgow also happens to be the hometown of our owner Martin Faith. Hence, the name Scottish Stained Glass seemed an appropriate choice to Martin when he moved to the United States to start his own stained glass company. It is true that “Scottish Stained Glass” is a reference to the origins of the techniques that we use in production for glassmaking. These methods were passed down through the generations of Martin’s Scottish family. However, it’s also a reference to our work and the specific processes that we use to create what we believe are the world’s finest stained glass windows.

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Creating Beautiful Stained Glass Designs for Churches and Religious Buildings

July 3, 2018 in Aggrigate, Church And Religious Stained Glass

Stained glass has always played a powerful, important role in every house of worship regardless of denomination. Throughout history, churches have utilized stained glass to convey meaningful imagery for their congregations. This is still true today– many members of every congregation treasure the stained glass features in their churches and have their own personalized perceptions of what each panel means to them. Church Stained Glass Restoration specializes in beautiful custom stained glass designed for churches and other religious buildings.

Benefits of Custom Religious Stained Glass for Your Church or Religious Building

Stained glass has always seemed to be an integral part of any church– many believe the two go hand-in-hand. Investing in custom religious stained glass for your religious building can really influence your congregation with symbolic inspiration. Stained glass can be such a vital part of the worship process providing powerful messages to your followers. These highly customizable windows and panels and feature virtually anything you’d like from sacred scripture to hand painted portraits. Religious stained glass can also serve as a privacy solution so that all undesired views are blocked from the outside in. This gives your staff and congregation privacy so they can focus on their worship process.

Custom Religious Stained Glass Design Process for Churches and Religious Buildings

Church Stained Glass Restoration provides free in-church consultations across the nation. We have completed various custom religious stained glass projects and are happy to share our portfolio for any inspiration you may need. One of our local stained glass artisans is happy to sit down with you to discuss your ideas as well as hand draw them out. We ensure that you review your design at least 8-10 times prior to custom building them.

For more information regarding custom religious stained glass for your church or religious building, please contact us or call: (720) 835-2165

Beautiful Ways Stained Glass Enhances Synagogues

June 13, 2018 in Aggrigate, Church And Religious Stained Glass

The History Of Stained Glass In Synagogues

When you think about stained glass, one of the first things that come to mind is definitely churches and usually Catholic ones at that. That makes sense because of the stained glass windows in the world a large proportion of them adorn the windows of Catholic cathedrals large and small. But, what you may not think about or even realize is, stained glass windows play a part in many types of religious iconography–Judaism notwithstanding. That’s right, stained glass on synagogues is not even a rare occurrence. The Jewish people have used stained glass windows to pay homage to religious stories for hundreds of years and some synagogues even have famous stained glass windows completed by master artisans.

Breathtaking Stained Glass For Synagogues

Since Judaism and Catholicism have some significant historical and ideological differences, a lot of the stained glass iconography for temples and synagogues varies widely from what you would see in a Catholic church. However, the patterns, figures, and colors are just as beautiful, made more so by the uniqueness of the Jewish influenced designs. Beautiful, colorful plants and animals often adorn Synagogue stained glass windows as well as the very common six-pointed star that is a hallmark to the Jewish religion. Not unlike catholic church stained glass windows, portrayals of old testament stories are common and stunning, as too are depictions of angels. When it comes down to it, stained glass is a stunning and captivating way to tell a story, especially one of deep faith, making it a perfectly lovely addition to any church, temple, synagogue or mosque.

Watch the video below to learn more about stained glass:

Stained Glass Experts For Synagogues

Here at Church Stained Glass Restoration, we have done a number of stained glass windows across a variety of faiths and would love to work with you on something special for your religious institution, Jewish, Catholic or otherwise. We respect all faiths and find stained glass art to be a tie that binds. If you would like to learn more about stained glass for your synagogue and the explore some of the incredible ancient patterns of the holy land or some from right here in the US, contact us Church Stained Glass Restoration for a consultation and let us design an ethereal masterpiece to brighten your synagogue!

An essential guide to: Stained Glass Restoration
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