Last fall we ordered two new side doors, to help keep the cold out, and six windows. The windows will fit in the gothic arches in the sanctuary, will be able to open so we can ventilate, and will greatly assist with heat retention. We will need to remove the stained glass and woodwork to get them in, but the plan is to repair the stained glass and fit it back in over the windows, vented properly so that they won't be damaged by heat build-up again. I hope the neighbours won't worry too much when they see the stained glass disappear. It's temporary!
We anticipate that the windows and doors will be installed by the end of this month, if all goes well. It can't come too soon! I'm huddled in the vestry with the electric baseboards going, but the rest of the church is very cold, as I'm trying to conserve propane. It would be lovely to be able to spend time in the sanctuary. I suspect I'm going to enjoy being able to see out, too, and to absorb some sunshine once the clear windows are in. When we put the stained glass back in, we'll make sure it can open so that we don't lose the air and light.
We have also commissioned Trillium Glass to put vented storm glass over the other five stained glass windows, to help preserve them. Those are the windows in the vestibule and high on the south wall. That likely won't happen until spring, as it's too cold to paint the woodwork right now. If I were rich, I'd ask Trillium to go ahead and restore the stained glass for me. I might get them to do the worst ones. One of them has a severe crack right through the name plate, which I can't replace, but Trillium would know what to do with it.
Once Omicron settles down, I hope to take advantage of the instructional workshops at our local stained glass store, so that I'm confident I'm doing this correctly. You can only glean so much from Youtube! It would help to see it all in person.
It seems a good omen, to begin 2022 by increasing the light and air in the building.
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