Sanctuary Stained Glass Update
As a congregation at Hopewell Presbyterian Church, we are blessed in so many ways. Over the past few years, since the ‘turning around’ of the sanctuary, we are fortunate to see the full image of the beautiful eastern side sanctuary window. Which at present is being restored and revitalized in a very comprehensive way, I will share more thoroughly the process being undertaken shortly.
The window itself, crafted almost 100 years ago carries a message in the center of beauty, hope, rebirth and the heart of Christian resurrection. The beauty of lilies. Some think that it was white lilies which sprouted in the Garden of Eden as Eve's tears fell to the ground. There is also belief that Easter lilies grew where Jesus's tears and blood fell from the cross. Lilies were supposedly found in the Garden of Gethsemane after the crucifixion, tying them even closer to the Easter holiday.
Lilies are mentioned numerous times in the bible, in Matthew 6:28-29 (NKJV), Jesus says, “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”
The Finance and Facilities Ministry (F&F) began pursuing this window restoration project in October of 2020, when Doug Robbins noticed an article in the Montgomery Times newspaper of the Episcopal Church in Rocky Hill undertaking a window restoration project. The article shared not only pictures of the undertaking, but also the group performing the work, Epiphany Studios of Middletown, VA.
In late December a team from Epiphany visited HPC on a Saturday with a small group of F&F ministry members. They assessed all the stained glass within the main sanctuary building, 17 windows in all. A very comprehensive 49-page proposal was provided to HPC by Epiphany which detailed a phased approach of window restoration. For each of the 17 windows the proposal included detailed plans of job site activities for window restoration, which included removal, transportation back to Virginia, for complete re-leading of each stained-glass piece and if needed new stained-glass replacement panes are installed, either to replace broken or match the original color design.
Although Epiphany has scoped all the stained-glass windows, this initial work is focused on the main sanctuary window. It was removed a few weeks ago and will be returned to HPC in August, fully restored and reframed. The window had become weathered and weakened. There were broken panes and through settling with the forces of our environment it had become bowed. If looking at the window from a distance it may have appeared fairly normal, yet it was on the edge of collapse. The frame was water damaged and termite infested. Through this process it will be strengthened, new wood will replace the old. Wood that is pressure treated and water resistant. Epiphany will also restore the frame and bevels that surround the window, to the original design of installation many years ago.
Finally, Epiphany is repairing and restoring the small window that is on the lower level of the sanctuary building within the small bathroom, just as you enter the from the Louellen / portico side of the church. They are undertaking this restoration as a gift to HPC, Epiphany Studios is not charging for the repair of that window.
The cost for repair of the main sanctuary window is approximately $41,000 and is being paid for by the gift made to HPC by Eunice and Alex Sharipen, the Sharipen Fund. The generosity of Eunice and Alex was loving and unconditional. That gift along with so many other gifts of HPC members over the years of time, treasure and talent are what make Hopewell Presbyterian Church a magnificent reflection of a loving God. A living and constant reflection of the love God so generously shared with each of us, through Jesus Christ.
Scott Megaffin
Finance & Facilities
Sharipen Bequest Taskforce