For over 100 years, the stained-glass windows at Immanuel Lutheran Church have adorned the Gospel of Jesus Christ with light and beauty. But like everything in life, things start breaking or falling apart and need some repair. In January 2022 the congregation approved this repair project that has been in the works for several years as various contractors have noted cracked glass, loose lead, and soft wood in some places. The protective plexiglass on the exterior has also become discolored and prevents the windows from being clearly viewed by the outside world during evening services.
Financial Progress:
As of June 24, 2023, thanks to generous donations this month, the project is paid for! Thank you! This amount includes initial matching funds of $25,000. Thank you to all the donors and families who directed memorials to this project.
Work to be completed on each window includes:
- The existing protective covering on the outside will be removed.
- Remove loose paint on the outer surface of the millwork.
- Apply both a primer and finish coat of Sherwin Williams Duration paint.
- Re-cement the stained-glass windows on the exterior surface.
- Replace and install new steel structural support braces by either soldering or installing new wire ties to aid in preventing of future bulging.
- Loose support braces will be properly attached by either re-soldering the broken joint or installing a new wire tie. Damaged or bent braces will be replaced with a new steel brace.
- Repair bulges in sections of window that have become weak where the lead and glass deflect in or out. If not rectified, it may damage both glass and lead joints, eventually leading to a potential hazard.
- To perpetuate the originality of the historic stained-glass window, either epoxy minor cracks, edge glue, or utilize the “Dutchmen” leading process for windows left in situ.
- The windows will be covered with an exclusive Klear-Flo protective covering system utilizing ¼” Acrylic. The protective covering will be set into the existing ventilator frames in such a manner that they will remain operational.
- The Klear-Flo protective covering system will be installed utilizing a special perimeter frame.
- Glazing bars will be bent to follow the major lines of the framing, thus preserving the exterior appearance of the architecture.
Pricing:
This proposal to restore and protect 15 stained-glass windows is in the amount of $107,718.
We must also be aware that additional costs could come up if the contractor, Associate Crafts/Willet Hauser of Winona, MN, finds other things broken or rotted that were not found on their inspection when putting together their bid. Thanks be to God, no significant items were found. Some wood was replaced on the west window, but we were not charged extra for it.
Project Update:
The window panels by the organ in the balcony have been removed and are at the shop in Winona for repairs. The company had initially planned to return in late July to reinstall those windows and continue with the rest of the window restorations. However, the severe weather in the midwest during the summer caused damages to church windows that Willet Hauser needed to address and caused our project to be delayed. The restoration work began on May 16 and was completed on June 11!
Pictures sent to the Trustees in early November 2022, showing the progress of restoration on the windows in their shop in Winona.
May our Lord bless His people and their efforts to glorify Him in this house of worship!