Albion church restoring some cracked stained-glass windows
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Jane Grein, a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Albion, touches the bottom of The Good Shepherd stained-glass window, which has cracks and is bowing out at the bottom due to the weight of the window.
The lower section will be removed and straightened out by Godfrey Miller Studios in Rochester. It is one of three windows to be repaired for $7,300. Christ Church is using a $3,000 grant from New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites Program for the window work.
Jeffrey Mueller, owner of Godfrey Miller Studios, is on the ladder removing part of the window in the vestibule of the church. He is assisted by his employee, Tony Disano.
This window was damaged during a wind storm and many of the pieces were found outside the church. Mueller will put the window back together in his studio. He said the repaired window should be back in place in about a month.
Jane Grein holds a box with many of the window pieces from the vestibule window.
“They’ve been broken for several years we just didn’t have the money,” Grein said.
There are large stained-glass windows on both sides of the sanctuary. Many of the windows have stress cracks or are bowing out on the bottom from the weight of the windows. Grein fears the cracks and problems will get worse, with more costly repairs needed.
“We’re so lucky to have these windows,” she said. “We really want to preserve them, not just for us but for the community to enjoy for generations to come.”
The building was erected in 1830 by the Presbyterians, and has been home to the Episcopal Church since 1844. The United Methodist Church also meets in the building for services on Sunday.
This memorial window for one of the church founders, Zephaniah Clark, also has cracks and some bowing. It is one of three that will get repairs in an upcoming project. Clark lived from 1794 to 1888 and was a member of the Episcopal Church in Albion for 42 years.
Grein said the church welcomes donations for the window upkeep. Checks with a designation for the windows can be sent to Christ Church, 26 South Main St., Albion, NY 14411. For more information, contact the church at (585) 589-5314 or christchurchalbion@yahoo.com.
