Stained Glass Windows Restoration
Visions of Faith Project
History of the Stained Glass Windows
The Parish of St. Thomas the Apostle is blessed to be the home of some notable stained glass windows that cannot be missed. Although not original to the 1883 construction of the church, the twelve Munich style windows currently in place were installed during the pastorate of Fr. Adolph Puetter (1936-1945), replacing simple double-hung painted glass windows with a twin lancet design. The Munich pictorial style is characterized by its rather life-like portrayal of saints and biblical scenes. The two windows closest to the sanctuary are thought to be the creation of the venerable Emil Frei Studios of St. Louis; however, the provenance of the other ten is still unknown.
Although significant damage occurred to all of the parish buildings during the 1948 tornado, including the destruction of the church bell tower, amazingly all of the large windows, measuring 5’ wide and 15 ½’ tall, survived unscathed. The two east-facing windows were later replaced with a patterned design created by the Louis Seele Studios of Webster Groves, Missouri.
If one were to stand facing the altar, going counter-clockwise the scenes depicted in church windows are:
With the passage of time and the effects of the elements, it was deemed necessary to undertake an extensive restoration of the stained glass windows and the exterior protective glass. The Visions of Faith Project was launched in 2014 with the initial intention of restoring windows as funding became available. However, because of the willing financial support of parishioners and the wider St. Thomas family, the restoration of all of the windows was fully funded by 2015.
In July 2015, Associated Crafts Studios removed the 1940’s-era diffusion protective glass and its framing, as well as the white aluminum flashing which had been added mid-century to cover the deteriorating wooden window framing and sills. It was quickly discovered that significant rot and insect damage had been occurring behind the metal flashing. All compromised wood was repaired or replaced. Broken glass panes were replaced and bows or bulges in the stained glass were repaired before the new millwork was installed, frames were painted and clear ¼” tempered exterior glass was fitted.
While the fourteen large windows no doubt garner the most attention at church, another aspect of the Visions of Faith Project involved the eight smaller windows located in and near the church sacristies. Some had no stained glass, others had an assortment of frame and glass patterns, and another had been totally covered over. Considering the panoply of variations, it was necessary to design and fabricate some new windows in order to bring some aesthetic congruence to the west end with the rest of the church building.
Whether it is making a visit to church to offer a prayer on a sunny day, or driving past the church while prayers are being offered at night, it is our hope that the colors and images of our windows remind you of the truth and beauty of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Although significant damage occurred to all of the parish buildings during the 1948 tornado, including the destruction of the church bell tower, amazingly all of the large windows, measuring 5’ wide and 15 ½’ tall, survived unscathed. The two east-facing windows were later replaced with a patterned design created by the Louis Seele Studios of Webster Groves, Missouri.
If one were to stand facing the altar, going counter-clockwise the scenes depicted in church windows are:
- Emmanuel - The Nativity of Our Lord (Luke 2:6-16)
- The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:22-35)
- The Holy Family Fleeing into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-14)
- The Child Jesus Teaching in the Temple (Luke 2:46-47)
- The Death of St. Joseph
- The Baptism of Our Lord by St. John the Baptist (Matthew 3:16)
- The Miracle at the Wedding Feast of Cana (John 2:1-10)
- Jesus with the Children (Matthew 19:13-15)
- The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
- The Resurrection of Our Lord (Mark 16:9)
- The Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven (Luke 24:50)
- Jesus Christ the Eternal King of Glory (Revelation 5:11-14)
With the passage of time and the effects of the elements, it was deemed necessary to undertake an extensive restoration of the stained glass windows and the exterior protective glass. The Visions of Faith Project was launched in 2014 with the initial intention of restoring windows as funding became available. However, because of the willing financial support of parishioners and the wider St. Thomas family, the restoration of all of the windows was fully funded by 2015.
In July 2015, Associated Crafts Studios removed the 1940’s-era diffusion protective glass and its framing, as well as the white aluminum flashing which had been added mid-century to cover the deteriorating wooden window framing and sills. It was quickly discovered that significant rot and insect damage had been occurring behind the metal flashing. All compromised wood was repaired or replaced. Broken glass panes were replaced and bows or bulges in the stained glass were repaired before the new millwork was installed, frames were painted and clear ¼” tempered exterior glass was fitted.
While the fourteen large windows no doubt garner the most attention at church, another aspect of the Visions of Faith Project involved the eight smaller windows located in and near the church sacristies. Some had no stained glass, others had an assortment of frame and glass patterns, and another had been totally covered over. Considering the panoply of variations, it was necessary to design and fabricate some new windows in order to bring some aesthetic congruence to the west end with the rest of the church building.
Whether it is making a visit to church to offer a prayer on a sunny day, or driving past the church while prayers are being offered at night, it is our hope that the colors and images of our windows remind you of the truth and beauty of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.