Worship without Words
The Story of Our Stained Glass Windows
In 1983, early parishioners Phil Bissell and Bill Hulsizer presented the vestry with the ambitious plan to commission, create and install 45 custom-made faceted glass windows of various sizes in the original church, now our chapel. Though $21,000 was a lot of money at that time, enthusiasm prevailed and the funds were forthcoming to turn their dream into reality.
Retired Methodist Minister and glass artist Stowell Sandmeyer worked closely with Fr. Harshman to weave threads of several Biblical themes and symbols throughout the windows. The windows were made by a process called dalle de verre (French for slabs of glass) or faceted glass. This was a late Nineteenth Century invention in Europe that involved embedding pieces of glass into concrete walls to allow light to enter buildings. The process had fallen into disuse and was only revived some three decades prior to Holy Comforter hiring Stowell Sandmeyer and June Simon to create our windows. Unlike most modern stained glass windows, the glass pieces used are an inch thick and are cut and faceted to create a jewel-like brilliance. They are held together with epoxy resin rather than lead strips used in other stained glass processes.
When the windows were moved to the new church in 2002, they came to life and were seen in their full glory and color. Although they are beautiful to behold, more importantly, they have been a visual aid to Biblical readings and songs, inspired countless prayers, and enhanced our worship in this church for 40 years.
