Buy Old Church Windows _TOP_
Set of 9 Stained Glass Windows removed from an old Polish parish: Crucifixion Scene, Our Lady of Pompeii, Saint Adalbert of Prague, Cecilia, Francis, Hedwig, John the Baptist, Joseph, and Stanislaus. They're approx 155" tall x 56.5" wide, the frames are not available. They were restored 15 years prior removal, and in great condition. Panel sizes vary slightly from window to window depending on where subject was cut, but overall windows are uniform size.
buy old church windows
Set of 8 Mayer Munich windows (168"h x 42"w): Institution of the Church, Jesus Restoring Sight to Blind Man, Saint John Baptizing Jesus, Miracle at Cana, Jesus Scourged at the Pillar, Annunciation of Our Lady, Finding in the Temple, Nativity.
The practice of moving stained glass windows is as old as the medium itself. Even when set in stone, stained glass has still found reasons to relocate, sometimes to a different window in the same cathedral or maybe to a different county. Changing tastes were the most frequent cause in the past but today the reasons are demographic in nature.
The vast majority of stained glass in America was made between 1890 and 1960. Much of what was made domestically was the work of small studios scattered throughout the U.S., creating windows from pattern catalogues. Such windows often feature painted symbols in circular medallions. The very best art windows from American studios include the works of Louis Tiffany, John LaFarge and others, who developed new glass technologies and a new style of window making. Still other American artists looked to a medieval model for inspiration. All the while, studios in England and Germany were sending their best efforts to America.
Today the market place for historic church windows runs from the suburbs of the east, down through the south and southwest and all the way up the west coast. New congregations that are building as well as older churches that want to renovate are still desirous of stained glass and the traditional has made quite a comeback. It is not unusual these days for Churches to ask for windows by a specific Bavarian studio.
Even in cases where comprehensive restoration and complex adaptation are required, the reuse of antique windows will probably still be achieved at a cost below that of commissioning new windows of the same quality. It would be possible to buy new stained glass windows for a lower cost, but they would not be of a quality equal to the best works of the early 20th Century.
So, it makes economic sense to recover these windows! True enough, but much more is also true. These works of art are part of our cultural heritage and well worth preserving. In Europe, the state provides funds to subsidize preservation; but in America, we must assume the responsibilities that come with so much opportunity. We simply cannot abandon these windows to an uncertain fate.
The Sacred Window Rescue Project (sacredwindowrescueproject.org), our growing and freely accessible listing of over 600 windows available for purchase from their owners, without fee or commission, is a great place to start. I also recommend contacting the diocese, synods and presbytery in cities that have lost population in the past few decades. These are the organizations most likely to have a surplus of buildings and stained glass. I have personally networked this way, trying to fill a particular need. This is best done by phone and/or e-mail. Begin by contacting the real estate office of an organization. Their website might list an office of closure for disposing of sacred objects and works of art. If you do not find such an office listed, ask if one exists.
It is far better to search among the non-profits that have a surplus of windows. While these organizations would prefer to make a profit, their sense of responsibility to the windows yields an added incentive to find good homes for the works of art in their care. Many such organizations have a degree of respect and appreciation for religious art that disallows the casual disposal to the highest bidder. Many will constrain the sale of windows by proscribing that the new owners must be a church of the same denomination. The rules of sale vary among organizations, but those that have rules, have them to ensure that the works of art are treated with respect. Common values between buyer and seller makes negotiations toward a common goal that much easier.
Years of exposure to the oils in putty leave the perimeter leading around each section badly oxidized and easily damaged during removal. This powdery oxidation is toxic and friable. The removal crew will be wearing protective clothing, respirators and surgical gloves for protection and, before this window can begin a new life, the perimeter leading must be removed and replaced with new lead. Usually a contemporary window setting will include a contemporary aluminum frame. All windows need steel reinforcing but the re-bars that secured the sections in their previous setting will not work with a contemporary frame. So the reinforcing bars must also be changed.
Pay close attention to the architecture of your building. If it is modern in character, you may want to look for windows that will fit comfortably in that idiom. There are windows available from modern churches that will better suite a building of the same period. Keep in mind that the stained glass will be seen from the outside too. Even if you are not a fan of modern architecture, it is nevertheless a fact that you cannot change architecture by decorating.
For the intimate Daily-Mass conversions, we often look for windows from a convent chapel or maybe a sacristy. Windows coming from smaller spaces are more likely to be good candidates for this size project.
So the key to success with relocating stained glass into an existing building is finding windows that represent the optimum match of size, style and subject matter. The larger the pool of prospective windows, the greater your chances of finding the perfect fit.
I mentioned that buying old windows is not a way to get stained glass on the cheap. Your window frames are one reason for this. If your church building is 40-years old or more, it most likely features aluminum window frames with only a single pane of glass. Such systems were engineered at a time when heating oil was a nickel a gallon. It is also possible that your buildings windows are made of wood or even steel. If they are handsome or historic, you may want to preserve and restore them as well, to maintain the character of your architecture. So by all means, consult your design professional about frame restoration. If your window frames fall into the category of unremarkable and inefficient, it would make little sense to invest in art and install it into obsolete window frames at the end of their useful lifespan.
If your project is located in an institutional-type building, such as a school, you will most likely need new frames here too. If you are adding stained glass to a rectory or any residential-type building with double-hung sash windows, then there may be more options available.
We have also installed many stained glass windows in light boxes where churches simply did not have a suitable opening in a wall or where knocking holes through walls was impractical. Light boxes are a way to enjoy stained glass where daylight is unavailable. Another useful feature of light boxes is that they can be designed to be movable. Most light boxed are constructed of wood. Simple, unadorned functionality may be inexpensive but fine cabinetry, like any good craftsmanship, will be costly. Three important features that every light box must include are the following:
Before you can solicit funds, you must first introduce the plan for stained glass to the parish. There is simply no equal to excellent photography for allowing the parish to appreciate what the new windows will add to the worship environment.
Your artist should be capable of photographing the windows with professional equipment, hopefully while still in their original setting. After removal from their original setting, it is nearly impossible to get professional level images. They should also be ready to produce handsome display boards that will celebrate the acquisition of stained glass and announce any dedication opportunities. With the aid of CAD software, your architect can digitally incorporate the photographic images of the windows into their plans, allowing everyone to see how the windows will appear when the project is completed. Share all you can learn about the studio that made the original windows and the materials and techniques used in their fabrication. Take your most loyal donors to the studio hired for your project to witness the work being done to restore and adapt the windows.
These windows are about 120 years old, and will need some lead work and tightening in areas. Some windows removed clean, and some have border work needed before they can be reinstalled. A beautiful detailed set of stained glass windows. Perfect for building a new church. A new set like this would cost hundreds of thousands to make. One fine set!!!
Our antique stained glass windows are salvaged from buildings and homes across America. Our focus is primarily on American antique stained glass windows however we do offer select windows from Belgium and France.
We take pride in the windows we offer for sale at Architectural Emporium. All of our windows are hand selected antique stained glass. Most are fully restored and re-cemented. We believe we offer our customers a product quality which is not available in most antique stores and salvage yards.
We ship our antique stained and leaded glass windows across America and internationally. Send us an email at sales@coolsalvage.com and we will be glad to email or call you direct with any details or description. We have many satisfied repeat customers.
In January 2021, Earthwise did one of the largest salvage jobs to date at University Temple, a United Methodist church in Seattle. When they contacted us, we knew from experience this was going to be a delicate and time-extensive project. We worked with Walsh Construction and University Temple leadership over the previous year to execute the salvage seamlessly. 041b061a72