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Church stained glass plays such a significant role in every community. It creates a constant ray of inspiration during sermons, personal prayer sessions, and services. Not only does religious stained glass offer so much sentimental meaning for flocks, it also provides historic and antique value. Preserving these works of art throughout the nation is important for so many different reasons. Does your stained glass need a little love? Not sure if it’s ready for repairs, restoration, or replacement? Here are some signs!

Indicators for Church Stained Glass Repair, Restoration, or Replacement

Minor scratches and surface damage usually requires repair– these repairs can be completed without removing your stained glass windows. Restoration is required every 75 to 100 years, giving churches a good time frame for planning. If you see any cracks, missing pieces, discoloration, disintegrating lead, softened lead, etc. these are all indicators that your stained glass is ready for restoration. Restoration is needed before too much damage occurs and replacement becomes the best financial option. While most stained glass can always be restored for a price, there comes a point where replacement can be less expensive than restoration. A cost-benefit analysis can be completed by a professional stained glass artisan, showcasing which option is cheaper.

Finding the Right Stained Glass Studio for Your Church Stained Glass Restorations

Church Stained Glass Restoration is the industry leader in repairs and restorations. We’re happy to evaluate your stained glass to help determine if you need in-house repairs, full restoration, or complete replacement. Choosing the wrong stained glass studio can lead to further expenses and an unsuccessful outcome. Experience proper, meticulous restorations that can add another 100 years to your stained glass’ lifespan. Our renowned techniques can restore stained glass from any time period.

For more information regarding church stained glass repairs or restoration, please contact us!

Painted Church Tours In Texas

An absolute must when visiting Texas is to go and see the legendary “Painted Churches” which are the pride of the state. Painted churches are historic chapels and churches painted by German and Czech immigrants, in bright colors and bold patterns to celebrate their continued success as a pioneer and to keep spirits high in times of trouble. Better than visiting a single church– book an entire tour with the Schulenburg Chamber of Commerce. They have a wealth of knowledge about the area’s painted churches and will provide you with one of the most spectacular tours Texas has to offer. They are also well rated on Trip Advisor and other review sites–so you know you will get your money’s worth (typically a $10 fee) As stained glass professionals here in Texas, Church Stained Glass Restoration appreciates the preservation of such amazing historical treasures like the painted churches. So much so, that we decided to write about a few of the best churches included in the tour and their stained glass windows too.

Stained Glass Treasures In Texas Painted Churches

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

This gorgeous vintage church is Nicknamed the Pink Church. Built in 1907, it is technically the third church built on this site since the two before it was destroyed by natural disasters. The current stained glass windows are simple but breathtaking with hints of the previous Gothic Revival-style of architecture they were built in.

Saints Cyril and Methodius Church (Dubina, TX)

The Saints Cyril and Methodius Church were actually designed by is famed architect Leo Dielmann after the original church was destroyed in 1909 by a hurricane. Dielman’s designed 100 churches in Central Texas and it is easy to see why he was so sought after as the stunning stained glass in Saints Cyril and Methodius is surrounded by the most beautiful interiors of almost any Texas painted church.

St. Mary Catholic Church (High Hill, TX)

St. Mary Catholic Church in High Hill has a brick exterior with a wooden interior unlike many other churches in the area. This is due to church leadership encouraging communities to build churches out of brick or stone since so many were destroyed by storms and fires. St. Mary was also designed by famed church architect Leo Dielmann and, in fact, was the first church designed by him. Once again his Gothic Revival style is evident by the decorative painting on the ceilings and even the stained glass in said Gothic style.

Here at Church Stained Glass Restoration, we have restored a number of churches similar to the amazing chapels above. As restoration experts, we cherish the long church and stained glass history in the state of Texas and would love to work with your church if the need is there. For more information on stained glass repair or restoration in all of Texas, contact us today!

Stunning Church Stained Glass Review: First Congregational Church

New England has many shining examples of stained glass and First Congregational Church in Greenwich, CT is home to some of the best in the state, if not the country. This glass is also a shining example of the stunning results of church stained glass restoration, as their glass was restored in 2008 and 2009.  Their stained glass windows are as magnificent as they are plentiful and are great examples of work by numerous artists such; J&R Lamb Studios, Helen Sickles Hull and Marguerite Gaudin to name a few. As lovers of church stained glass and church stained glass restorers ourselves, we have highlighted some of the most lovely windows for our readers to enjoy.  Look below to enjoy some of our selections fromThe First Congregation’s gorgeous online stained glass window tour!

Chancel Stained Glass Window

Designed and created by Willet Studios in 1960 this stained glass window is the epitome of inspirational church stained glass. Beyond the amazing fact that this window literally comes alive as the sun sets when sculptured gold” elements begin to shine inside the chapel meetinghouse, is the fact that this window has imagery representing everything from Palm Sunday to ash Wednesday and from Pentecost to all four gospel saints: Matthew, Mark, Luke, And John.

Tower Room Stained Glass Window

One window that stands out from all the other is the Tower Entrance window pictured above.   The lovely flowers in this bold but still elegant piece of church stained glass are eye-catching but it is truly the delicate color scheme which is nothing short of stunning and truly an epitaph of love for two truly loved parishioners as it is –“In  memory of Victor R. Denson 1893-1976 and Mary E. Denson 1893-1991 by their family”

North Transept Window

The North Transept Windows of the First Congregation Church were installed in 1896. These windows are truly beautiful to behold.  The skill in which they have been created, showing realistic flesh colors, hints at the possible creator being John Singer Sargent. Regardless, the bold colors are enchanting and the biblical scenes striking–explain why this one of the most admired in the church’s collection.

As you can see through the pictures and descriptions above, church stained glass has the power to memorialize, inspire and enchant.  A convincing reason why churches here in the US and around the world should keep theirs in good repair and restored when needed. For more information about church stained glass restoration, repair and pricing contact us today!  Here at Church Stained Glass Restoration, we have locations across the country and would love to bid on your church’s 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!

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.

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!