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Things to Consider Before Restoring Church Stained Glass

August 30, 2021 in Aggrigate, Stained Glass Restoration

If your church is 80 years old or more and has stained glass windows, then it may be time to consider restoration. Restoring these pieces of history can help preserve their integrity and value.  However, the decision to restore is not one to take lightly.  Below are some considerations for your congregation.

Pros and Cons of Restoring Church Stained Glass

Pro: Antique Church Stained Glass Has Monetary Value

 The stained glass windows in your church may not appear to be worth a lot but they may be.  The materials used, the studio that made them, and current condition all determine how much it is worth. However, one thing is for sure– restoring old stained glass increases is a way to increase their value even more!

Pro: Antique Church Stained Glass Has Historical Value

 Stained glass from the early days of this city has a lot of historical value for churches and their communities alike. Some church stained glass is more historically valuable than others depending on which studio made it, what materials were used in construction, where your parish resides within the area, etcetera. Preserving these windows not only helps to keep local history alive but also provides a means to preserve local and parish traditions and art.

Pro: Antique Stained Glass Has Sentimental Value

One of the best things about church stained glass restoration is preserving the sentimental value.  Stained glass in churches has been a fixture throughout the years, and many congregation members really love it. By having it restored you allow congregants to hold on to memories from years past and create new ones for future generations as well!

 Con: Church Stained Glass Restoration is Expensive

 Stained glass restoration can be expensive. It all depends on the size and scope of repairs that need to happen, but it’s especially true when an entire frame must be taken down or reconstructed with new materials. This cost may prove prohibitive for churches with limited funds at their disposal.  However, many times there are historical grants available from local organizations.  Also, we can guide you with fundraising ideas that we have seen work in the past.

Con: Church Stained Glass Restoration can be Time-consuming

A church stained glass restoration project often includes several windows and many square feet of repairs. This means the process is lengthy, but it also offers an opportunity to improve a building’s aesthetics in ways that might not have been possible before. It takes time to match colors from over 100 years ago, so if your church is considering restoration make sure you account for having our studio remove all the damaged pieces and repair them in our studio for up to a year.

For more information on stained glass restoration and to schedule an inspection contact us today.

Church Stained Glass Restoration FAQ

August 23, 2021 in Aggrigate, Church Stained Glass Restoration

A church’s stained glass windows are more than just a pretty feature. They’re the key to unlocking secrets of the past and the church’s history, as well as a means of insight about its present and future. Church stained glass windows display symbolism that represents the values and teachings of the church and provide a deeply moving and spiritual experience for onlookers.

It’s no wonder that when it comes time to make repairs, most churches are more than willing to invest in stained glass restoration. However, this process may be confusing to those who are unfamiliar with its steps and intricacies. To shed some light on the matter, we’ve provided answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about restoration below. Continue reading »

Restoring the Stained Glass Windows in the Historic Vernon A.M.E. Church in Tulsa

June 14, 2021 in Aggrigate, Church And Religious Stained Glass, Church Stained Glass Restoration

Over the years that we’ve been restoring church stained glass windows, we’ve gained a deeper understanding of how churches are connected to their community. In addition to their religious work, churches provide important services like education, public health services, charitable services such as clothing drives and food supply. They do this all without asking anything in return. Continue reading »

Why Most Churches Use Fundraising to Restore Stained Glass

March 22, 2021 in Aggrigate, Stained Glass Restoration

Stained glass is something almost every church and a member thereof take pride in. It represents the history of the congregation. This is why preserving these historical glass treasures is something we strongly encourage. We have yet to work with a church that wasn’t thrilled to see the glass they love restored to its former glory. However, to get to this point–financial hurdles must first be overcome.

Why Church Stained Glass Restoration is an Investment

It likely cost a fair amount to have installed in the first place. Therefore preserving the life and luster of antique stained glass will likely require a substantial financial investment still today to preserve. The investment is well worth it, as we have noted, since it keeps these beauties intact for another 100+ years for future generations. Like other non-profit institutions churches rarely have a lot of extra cash on hand; which is why churches often need to fundraise to sponsor the stained glass restorations we do for them. We have done countless jobs of this nature and have seen church congregations come together with a ton of great ideas to secure the money needed to have their iconic windows restored. Below are just a few of them

Fundraising Ideas for Church Stained Glass

Fundraising is certainly not a new concept for non-profit organizations. But we wanted to outline some of the most successful things we have seen in the past.

  1. Bake Sale:  Traditional and simple–holding a special bake sale, especially around the holidays is a great way to raise money for your church’s new stained glass
  2. Silent Auction:  This type of fundraiser gets local businesses involved in donating products and services–that sometimes auctions much higher than sticker price!
  3. Special Tithe/Offering:  Handing out a separate tithe basket each service is a constant reminder to your church body of your need for funds specifically for your windows.  Consider decorating the basket to make it fun for people to give.
  4. Grants:  There are many historical grants out there to preserve stained glass in older churches–check with your local historical society if your glass is more than 80 years old.
  5. Social Media Posts:  In this day and age, many churches are online. By posting on your church’s social media accounts you get the message out to more people than just your members.
  6. Email Blasts:  If you have an email blast for your church, be sure to always include a link to a stained glass window fundraising page.  If you don’t have one, talk to your members about starting one–likely someone in your congregation can donate their time to set one up.  This type of marketing works really well is done continuously throughout the year.

For more information on ways to fundraise to restore your church stained glass to new–reach out to us today!

How to Get Started with Church Stained Glass Restoration

June 26, 2020 in Aggrigate, Church Stained Glass Restoration

Churches have always utilized stained glass for portraying important biblical messages and teachings. With inspiring stained glass features housed within churches from around the nation, it’s always important to appreciate the significance your windows can bring to your congregation. Stained glass windows can truly inspire and become a considerable part of the worship process. Making sure your stained glass is properly preserved can provide numerous benefits for your church, congregation, and society. Church stained glass restoration offers an incredible way to keep your stained glass for generations to come.

The Church Stained Glass Restoration Process

When you start to notice any signs of deterioration among your stained glass windows, it’s important to see if your stained glass is in need of restoration. Signs of deterioration can include cracked glass, warped glass, convex/concave glass, missing glass, a white film appearing on your glass, discoloration, yellowing plexiglass, softened lead came, brittle joints, and much more. Once you discover these signs, the next step is finding the right stained glass studio for restoration. Vetting your studio should always include research, asking for recommendations from jobs of similar size, and viewing portfolios. The right restoration studio can add at least another century of product life to your stained glass windows. The restoration process typically takes about a month per window, depending on the size. If your stained glass was damaged by vandalism or severe weather, you may qualify for an insurance claim.

Work with the Nation’s Trusted Church Stained Glass Restoration Experts

Church Stained Glass Restoration is honored to be the trusted church stained glass restoration experts serving the nation. Our team is always happy to help evaluate the condition of your windows or features to see if they’re ready for restoration. For more information regarding church stained glass restoration for your property, please contact us!

The Stained Glass Restoration Process for Your Church

May 8, 2020 in Aggrigate, Church Stained Glass Restoration

Churches across the nation understand the importance of their treasured stained glass features. Their stained glass windows often provide wide-reaching inspiration for both their congregation members and clergy members. In order to ensure your religious stained glass continues to offer inspiration for future generations to come, restoration is a necessary process. Stained glass restoration offers a multitude of different benefits for any church.

The Church Stained Glass Restoration Process

When you start to see signs of deterioration on your stained glass, it’s important to begin the restoration process as soon as possible. This process begins with an on-site assessment of your stained glass windows to see what exactly caused the deterioration and damage. The assessment will include a custom-tailored restoration plan, cost-benefit analysis, and project estimate. Once you decide to start restoration, we’ll remove your stained glass, install temporary windows, and carefully transport them back to our studio. We’ll soak your stained glass in our proprietary bath soak for up to two weeks in order to remove all the grime and dirt that’s built up over the past century. This also allows us to easily take apart your stained glass so we can restore it piece by piece. We always take the conservative approach and save as much of the original as possible. New lead came is also created and safety glass is often installed for better protection. You’ll be stunned once we reinstall your church’s newly restored stained glass.

Work with the Nation’s Trusted Church Stained Glass Restoration Artists

Church Stained Glass Restoration is honored to be the trusted church stained glass restoration artists serving the nation. We’re available during normal business hours and are offering virtual consultations and in-person appointments. We look forward to working with you!

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

How to Fundraise for Your Church Stained Glass Restoration Project

April 13, 2020 in Aggrigate, Church Stained Glass Restoration

Church stained glass offers so many benefits for its congregation and clergy members, providing inspiration during services and serving as a sentimental part of your house of worship. Just like everything else, stained glass begins to deteriorate with age. From age-related deterioration to vandalism, stained glass can fall victim to numerous issues that impact its condition. In order to properly preserve your stained glass, restoration is essential. During these uncertain times, it can be hard finding the funds to restore your beloved stained glass. Here are some options for fundraising:

Fundraising Tips for Your Church Stained Glass Restoration Project

Fundraising efforts have actually successfully restored many stained glass windows in our experience. Even with the obstacle of social distancing, you can still accomplish your fundraising efforts from the comfort of your home:

  • Create a fundraising committee: A fundraising committee can help you get better organized for your restoration project. Ask for volunteers and have virtual meetings to craft your fundraising plan.
  • Reach out to your congregation: Church stained glass can often hold a special place in many congregation members’ hearts. You’d be surprised how many of your members would be willing to donate! Start a GoFundMe page and reach out directly to your church members.
  • Look for nonprofit support: There are various nonprofit organizations that are dedicated to restoring art as well as religious properties. Do your research and see if you qualify for any grants or additional help.

Work with the Nation’s Trusted Church Stained Glass Restoration Experts

Church Stained Glass Restoration is honored to be the stained glass restoration experts serving the nation. We’re always happy to help with your brainstorming efforts and are providing free virtual consultations for all of your stained glass needs.

For more information regarding fundraising for your stained glass restoration project, please contact us!

Is Restoring Stained Glass Worth the Investment?

February 11, 2020 in Aggrigate, Church Stained Glass Restoration

For churches throughout the nation that are ready to restore their religious stained glass, it can be intimidating when you learn of the costs associated with this process. Restoration is an expensive process since it is really labor-intensive and requires extensive training and experience to properly execute. Proper restoration can take around a month for a single window alone. While these costs may catch you off guard, there are some great benefits that make it well worth the price tag.

Understanding the Benefits of Stained Glass Investment for Restoration

Stained glass investment is worthy of restoration because of the equity it creates. Unrestored stained glass always appraises for much less while a restored stained glass feature is drastically valued for more. Very similar to renovating a home, investing in your stained glass can provide better overall value by restoring the antique value. Restoration is actually required every 75 to 100 years due to natural deterioration. This process may be required sooner if your stained glass has experienced damage from vandalism or severe weather. Stained glass investment is much more affordable than replacement, offering a cost-effective option for your church. If you want to properly preserve your stained glass, then restoration is your only option for achieving this. Unfortunately, stained glass will continue to deteriorate until a replacement is required if you choose to forego restoration.

Work with the Nation’s Stained Glass Investment Specialists

Church Stained Glass Restoration is proud to be the nation’s stained glass investment specialists serving all 50 states. We’re happy to work with churches from all over the country in order to help preserve these gorgeous works of art. With our industry-leading restoration process, your stained glass can remain in its original, beautiful condition for at least another century or two.

For more information regarding stained glass investment, please contact us!

Understanding the Investment of Stained Glass Repair

February 10, 2020 in Aggrigate, Church Stained Glass Restoration

When thinking about getting the stained glass in your church restored, there are a couple of different aspects to explore.  This type of stained glass is usually invaluable but has sentimental value and sometimes has monetary value too. Therefore the benefits of stained glass need to outweigh any drawbacks.  Read below to get an understanding of this balance and use this to help you decide if church stained glass really is worth it.

Benefits And Drawbacks of Restoring Stained Glass

Drawback 1:  The Time Investment of Church Stained Glass Restoration

The cost of a restoration hinges on the size or your windows.  Second, the scope of repair needed. If either of these is large–the stained glass windows of your church may be removed anywhere from several weeks to a few months.  Smaller windows take less time but overall stained glass restoration is a fairly big undertaking and something your church should be prepared for.

Benefit 1: How long Restored Windows Will Last

One of the biggest reasons churches get their stained-glass restored is that it preserves church history for future generations.  Even if the restoration takes a year, that amount of time is small in comparison to how low the church stained glass restoration will last.  Once restored by a true professional, your church’s stained glass windows will last at least 100 years. Here at Stained Glass, we believe ours will even last up to 200 because of the advanced leading additives we use. 

Drawback 2:  The Money Needed To Invest in Stained Glass Restoration

The truth is– stained glass restoration can be a big expense for churches to undertake.  For larger windows, this is especially true. The removal of stained glass, the transport to the studio for restoration and the manpower and machinery required all add up. Also, a quality stained glass studio employs extremely talented artists–which cost money too.  But all of this is worth every penny for renewed windows that last centuries to come. 

Benefit 2:  Stained Glass on Churches Has A lot of Value

After restoration, the value of a stained glass window can sometimes double or triple.  While added monetary value is wonderful–to churches there is deeper value. Stained glass windows in churches are dear to most congregations.  They have witnessed a lifetime of events for many parishioners–giving them added sentimental value. Furthermore, if you stained glass windows are antique–they will likely have historical value too.

There are just a few of the benefits that make it worth it to have your stained glass restored.  If budget is an issue, we can help with ideas for finding or raising the funds for your church’s stained glass via grant and/or fundraisers.  Contact us Church Stained Glass Restoration today to talk to us about your church stained glass and to schedule an on-site estimate.

Why Is There Stained Glass in Churches?

August 29, 2019 in Aggrigate, Church And Religious Stained Glass

There is no denying that stained glass is lovely. From the towering windows of Notre Dame Cathedral to small windows on scores of local churches across the nation–stained glass is simply a delight to church members and communities. They have been delighting congregations for more than a thousand years. In fact, they span generations and denominations alike. Regardless of people’s beliefs from church to church, one fact that most agree on is–stained glass windows are simply enchanting. But why do churches have stained glass–beyond simply beauty. Is there something more to these pieces beyond artistic value? Why are they such a ubiquitous part of cathedrals and chapels across the US? As it were, there are actually a few reasons why stained glass is so prevalent in churches. Today we will highlight the two most prominent ones–spiritual and practical.  

The Christian Religion’s Relationship With Light

In the Christian religion, there has always been a special relationship with light. Stained glass in churches clearly represents this. In fact, it allows for the use of light in a particularly ethereal way. It is understandable then, that churches from Methodists to Catholic appreciate the play of light combined with the iconography so important to them. In Genesis, God’s first words were “‘Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3-4) With this type of reference to light so early in such a sacred book, it is easy to see why Christian churches would embrace light through stained glass. And accordingly, spend much time and energy developing a church feature that perfectly embodies God first gift to man. Stained glass windows in churches shine light into an otherwise dark interior, it casts out shadows and brings relief. Not unlike the God of Genesis. There is no doubt that early architects wanted light through the lovely ornate windows of old to play out much like it did in the Bible. They saw stained glass as a perfect way to highlight the spiritual truth of light while at the same time being functional. Ostensibly this happened over 1000 years ago, as, the oldest surviving stained glass window is found in the Augsburg Cathedral in Germany and was built in the 11th century. Since those days stained glass windows in churches have changed significantly. However, embracing the proverbial light of God has not. In fact, stained glass windows evolved in their relationship with the church over time to become more than just spiritually significant but practical as well. Eventually, these windows began to not only served as a representation of the light of God but as a critical teaching tool as well.

Stained Glass Symbolism As A Teaching Tools

 During medieval times, stained glass windows were the primary way to teach the poor about God. During this period, the masses were illiterate. Everybody lacked access to biblical stories in written form, save the rich and clergy. Bible stories were, therefore, easier to recount through the glass itself rather than books. It was more accessible and easier for the poor to understand. If fact, in some larger church windows almost all the important stories from the books of Genesis to Revelations played out in glass. Soon the saints too appeared on windows and helped inspire both the poor and rich struggling on their Christian journey. They lent hope to the hopeless in their time of need in a most lovely way. The stained glass and the light dancing light were the perfect primers for the Christian religion. As cathedrals grew in size and technology so too did the depth of the symbolism contained in the stained glass. The new colors achieved through evolving chemistry appeared on the windows and were given deep meaning. Read the list of the various ways colors and symbols came to have meaning on stained glass over time.

Stained Glass Symbolism Explained

  • Jesus: Represented by Lifelike images; cross; lamb; a shepherd
  • Holy Spirit: Represented by a flame; wind; a white dove
  • The Saints: Represented by an image of the man or woman; the name of the saint; the way the saint was martyred
  • Virgin Mary: Often depicted wearing blue robes; on her own or with her son
  • Black: Death
  • Blue:  Heavenly Love, Virgin
  • Brown:  Death
  • Grey:  Mourning, Humility
  • Green:  Spring, Charity, Life over death
  • Purple:  Royalty God The Father
  • Red:  Love, Hate, Martyred
  • Violet:  Love, Truth, Passion, Suffering
  • White/Gold: Innocence, Holiness
  • Yellow: Jealousy, Treason, Deceit

Why Stained Glass In Modern Churches?

Obviously, times have changed quite significantly since stained glass began adorning churches. Today most churchgoers here in the US can ready and don’t need stained glass to guide the way. However, stained glass on churches still remains revered and important. Beyond the Christian religion–many religions have come to embrace these lovely works of art. Today, rather than being a teaching tool for this generation, stained glass has become a way to preserve history for the next generation. Because today’s church stained glass has significant historical value. Furthermore, while still useful for conveying religious themes–it also has become very valuable secular art. Every window of every church here in the US has significant historical value since it was made in an era of what could be considered the last frontier. Furthermore, churches today often use stained glass windows to honor beloved family and patrons–making it valuable on a personal level. For these reasons, although stained glass in chapels and churches has changed over time, it is just as important today as it was 1000 years ago. It is an incredible asset for any church to preserve and restore when necessary.

 To learn more about the stained glass on your Church and whether or not it may need restoration, contact us at Church Stained Glass Restoration today!

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