Update: Stained Glass Window Project

fumcslc
Sep 2
6 min read

We have raised $123,797 towards our goal of $125,000

All Glory to God

On the night of February 14, 2024, someone threw a fist sized piece of concrete through the lower, west stained-glass window. The hole was about 8" in diameter. Glass was scattered through the back of the Sanctuary. The concrete rock was under a pew about 20 feet from the window. There were no witnesses or video. The timing was sometime after the Ash Wednesday service when it was discovered. There was an area across the street where there was a lot of concrete like this on the ground. It may have come from there.

About 30 years ago, protective glass coverings were removed because of oxidation that was taking place to the lead in the stained glass window. As a result, multiple cracks and holes have taken place over the years. Also, recently, it was noted that one of the windows was deflecting in and out. In addition, the windows had become excessively dirty.

We knew that the stained glass windows were needing a lot work and we’d been kicking the project down the road for various and asunder reasons. The size of the hole in the window from the thrown piece of concrete was the catalyst that initiated action on our part. The Trustees Committee for First UMC looked into various options of how to go about the repairs. We came to the decision that we would hire a local professional artisan to do the inside work and then hire a national firm to do the outside work that would include adding protective coverings to the outside of the stained glass windows.

Interior Work: Western Art Glass

Locally, we kept getting referred to one person, Allison West of Western Art Glass. Allison made an initial visit to examine all of the art glass in the Sanctuary and came up with a scope of recommended restoration for preservation. She noted that the glass could not be matched and of more concern was that removing the glass could cause the neighboring pieces to be damaged and if too many pieces needed to be replaced, the panel would lose its originality. In one broken piece at the very top west window, the armature on one of the interior panels made for an accessibility issue for what is and what could be done. Despite the risks, she was confident that she could make a significant impact that would help in the preservation of the windows of concern.

With the help of Allison’s trusty side-kick, Tom Williams, the work began in July 2024 and finished by mid-August. Using industry standard and historic society mandated restoration practices, they carefully soft-cleaned entire windows in the Sanctuary (except the East windows). Best removal practices of corrosion, buildup of dust, dirt and original fabrication materials were implemented. Negative open air pockets were found and sealed to provide structural integrity and close exterior air from venting. Multiple vandalism pieces were corrected and restored. Seven tie wires were replaced and reattached to the metal reinforcement for the structural support bars on one of the windows. Specialized gluing and putty techniques were used to strengthen the glass and fill the holes and cracks.

We are so pleased with the work that Allison and Tom did to help in the preservation of these windows. Western Art Glass also received the highest marks from the company that we hired to do the outside work after they started and saw what Allison had accomplished.

Tom and Allison working on the north balcony stained glass windows. Blue tape was used to temporarily cover the large hole on the West stained glass window until it was repaired as noted below.

Exterior Protection: Willet Stained Glass Studios

On August 2, 2025, the Governing Board approved, by the recommendation of the Trustees Committee, to hire Willet Stained Glass Studios to do the outside work needed for the restoration of the stained glass windows. Willet Stained Glass Studios has a breathable protective covering that could go on the outside of the windows that was ¼” thick acrylic. To have circulation available in the protective coverings was a huge selling point for us. In addition, they also would do the work on site without removing the windows. Their sales representative lived locally. And, they came with the highest of industry standard recommendations, including having been contracted for work with the Salt Lake Temple site for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that is currently under earthquake renovation and remodeling of Temple Square.

A Press Release on the fundraising to include the community was initiated just before Christmas of 2024. Our goal was to raise $125,000 to cover the inside and outside work by Western Art Studios and Willet Stained Glass Studios. ABC Channel 4 News and KSL ran TV announcements. The Salt Lake Tribune ran a newspaper article that significantly got things going. Nearly $15,000 was raised in the first 48 hours.

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2024/12/30/restoration-push-effort-underway/

The work by Willet Stained Glass Studios began on February 3 and finished March 10 by the specialists from Willet Stained Glass Studios. Justin Headley was the outstanding Studio Consultant with Jonathan Cope as the Project Manager and his assistant Colin Gyger. They are all just phenomenal people. The team endured bitter cold weather through much of February. Nevertheless, they accomplished the following work.

1) Recementing – In recementing, our craftsmen carefully brushed a special cement between the pieces of glass and beneath the flange of the lead. When this cement stiffens, it securely seats the individual glasses in the cames and together with the glass, the lead and the bracing becomes an important structural par of the window. As a by-product of recementing, the brushing action removed much of the accumulated outside grime and the interior brilliance of the window is increased.

2) Painting of millwork – Scraped loose paint, putty where necessary and applied Sherwin Williams Duration paint. Sealing of minor wood cracks and basic wood infill were included in the painting process.

3) “Klear Flo” frame and protective covering system – Our exclusive “Klear Flo” protective glazing system provides for supporting the individual sections with heavy duty colored aluminum divider bars installed with non-corrosive anchors. A high quality sealant guarantees a durable weatherproof installation. The ¼” acrylic is 30 times more break resistant than glass.

4) Seal Ventilator – The venting system has 3/8” breather tubes in the frame to abate heat buildup, decrease the potential for condensation (not eliminate) and allow air circulation to help preserve the stained glass windows heritage. Double hung windows were screwed shut in order to prevent operation. The old plastic coverings on the East stained glass windows were removed.

5) Stabilization – Willet Hauser will epoxy any minor cracks using an edge gluing technique.

6) Bulged sections – There were at least 2 sections of windows that had become so weak that the lead and the glass deflect in and out. Straightening the bulge was achieved by careful manipulation for straightening while adding a new steel brace to preserve the structural integrity of the stained glass. This included installing new steel support braces.

A Musical Celebration

With the work completed, we celebrated with a Musical Extravaganza on May 3, 2025. Our goal was to also finish out the fundraising needed to pay for the project. This concert was phenomenal. With the help of our friend Rebecca O’Boyle, we put together a program that included:

The Amichevoli Cello Choir
Karley Swallow, mezzo soprano with Jean Lobrot
Scott R. Mills on the Wesleyan Heritage Organ
Choral Arts Society Chamber Choir
Emceed by Jamie McGriff of Channel 2 News

And the story continues…Wonder of Wonders:

In early January of 2025, I received a message from John Bergman with JB Masonry who had seen that we were raising money for our stained glass windows. When I contacted him, John asked if we had a contractor for the stained glass windows and I informed him that we had already signed a contract with another company. On further discussion, with his love for stained glass windows, we set up a time for John to visit our Sanctuary. During that meeting, he shared more details about his masonry company and I realized that we needed to be standing on the outside of the building and not the inside! Suffice it to say, we approved the needed work for a complete building facelift and it only cost us 10% of the total cost of the project due to private donors through JB Masonry. The project began on March 17 and will wrap up at the end of August. The results are absolutely stunning as seen below with the before and after pictures.