Fredericksburg Presbyterian windows project completed
Pat Thompson, member of Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church, poses with two stained-glass windows she designed. Thompson and 11 other members dedicated 16 years to designing, constructing and installing 12 windows to beautify their church.
Anyone who pays a visit to Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church cannot help but notice the mosaic of stained-glass windows lining the sanctuary walls. Stained-glass windows are often known for their depiction of biblical themes. At Fredericksburg they also tell the story of a congregation’s dedication to a project that spanned 16 years and two church buildings.
“God can do anything, and he did through us. He was the source of our inspiration, using 12 willing but mostly untrained people and the craft of making these stained-glass windows,” said longtime member Pat Thompson, the windows’ artist.
The project to design, construct and install stained-glass windows began back in the mid-2000s as a way to breathe life into the original 1883 church building. Myra Leeper, then-choir director and music technician, approached Thompson about designing new windows to replace the sagging, cracked ones with faded paint. At that time the congregation was without a full-time pastor, and Leeper thought the project would bring members together.
“And it certainly helped to do that,” Thompson said.
Thompson, a retired art teacher of 31 years, spent three months drawing 14 windows, sketching on 8-by-11-inch paper and then enlarging them on 11-by-8-by-14-inch, then 14-by-10-feet sheets with a grid-mark technique.
Her illustrations incorporated the cross as the main theme, weaving in historical variations such as the Pattée, Graded, Jerusalem, Iona, Trefoil, Maltese, Budded, Vesica, St. Andrew’s, Passion, Anchor, Greek and Celtic crosses. Other biblical images include a descending dove, depicting the Holy Spirit; the Tree of Life, representing paradise; and the Lamb of God, the emblem of Christ.
The traditional-themed windows were made in the cold, damp basement of the old manse, with the exception of a short time when members were able to meet in another family’s home. Leeper, who had some stained-glass experience, hunted across the state for a variety of handblown and factory-made sheet glass including opaque, swirled and shimmering marble hues. The cut pieces were laid out on a wooden panel, using horseshoe nails to hold the glass in place until it was all assembled. A copper foil with lead around the edges was used to solder the edges together, giving it a shiny finish.
Eight windows in, members voted to build a new church due to the poor conditions of the original building. Plans were made to transfer the existing windows to the new sanctuary along with the continued making and installation of the new windows. Removing the existing windows involved taking them apart, rubbing off the copper foil, reassembling and soldering again.
The project’s living members include Thompson and Leeper, along with Joyce Rhamy, Claudia Ward, Mary Ann Henderson, Al Amstutz, social visits from Jane Ann Hileman, and Russ Brinkerhoff, who had the job of taking the windows down and back up in the new building. Those who have since passed are former Fredericksburg Mayor Deb Dobson, Millie Brinkerhoff, J.B. Lytle and Howard Cramer.
Twelve of the original 14 blueprints ended up coming to life to fit the modern design of the new sanctuary. Then when a clear window was added to the front, Thompson ended up designing a final window to detract from the exposed wiring outside. The new opaque window with textured branches sits behind a large wooden cross found on the stage. Its design is very similar to her burning bush design, which was the first window the congregation had made, giving the project a sense of completion.
Although the work took countless hours and years of work, the church never faltered on its devoted labor and financial funds to get it done. The only complaint was how cold it was in the manse, Thompson said. But the cold couldn’t snuff out their vision.
“This new church has been like a blank canvas waiting for us to make a statement of faith, whether it’s through its windows, music, Bible study or social events together in the fellowship hall,” Thompson said. “Many have stepped up, contributing their talents, time and money to produce an atmosphere of love and sharing. This place I always have thought is like a home away from home with God’s presence everywhere.”