Necessary  large equipment must often fit into very small spaces!

Scaffolding being erected at the interior of the Nativity Window.

The old clouded Lexan is being removed from exterior of Nativity Window.   

It's easy to tell how much of our windows we haven't been seeing!

More Lexan removal.

An upclose look at the pieces of Lexan reveals just how opaque it is.  It was clear when it was installed to protect the windows.  The "clouding" has been gradual, and we haven't realized how much light has been blocked.

The picture on the left was taken the first day, as the scaffolding was being erected in front of the Nativity window.   The picture on the right was taken two days later, after the clouded Lexan had been removed from the exterior of the window. 

Even though the lighting conditions when the pictures were taken are not the same, it is evident how much light was being blocked by the Lexan.   When all the windows are covered with clear glass instead of the old clouded Lexan, our church will be a much lighter place!Write your caption here

Stephen Frei is the great-grandson of Emil Frei, who originally crafted our windows when the church was built 100 years ago.

Our windows have been in place for 100+ years.  A careful inspection of the wood frames is also necessary, to determine whether there is any sagging, bulging, or deterioration that must be corrected.

Scaffolding is in place at the "Presentation in the Temple" window

Any pieces of glass that are broken or badly damaged will be removed from the windows.  The broken or damaged glass, along with a template for the needed replacement, will be shipped to the studio in St. Louis MO. A new piece of glass to match will be made and sent back to Bisbee for replacement in the window.

The lower center section of the window has been removed to assess the damage to the wood framing and determine the appropriate course of action.

his photo of the Nativity window was taken from behind the old school on a very stormy night.  We scheduled a "drive-by" night so people could see the effect of t he Lexan being removed.  A few brave souls came out in the storm.

Some photographers, like our parish photo guru Ursula Ritchie, come out in all kinds of weather...

Apparently someone had great fun walking around in the rectory yard during the snow.  Wonder who it could have been?

Photo compliments of one of our local drone owners who posts on local Facebook sites.

So much of this work would be very difficult to do with ladders alone.

Stirs the imagination a bit to think about how the upper windows would have been installed 100 years ago without today's equipment.

One hundred years of harsh desert sun takes its toll on wood, even though we don't have much moisture in our area.The wood was replaced as necessary.  New trim was also fabricated to match the existing.

Work on the Window Restoration Project often continued late into the night.

Up close detail work is possible at night with the use of a head lamp.The accumulated dirt & dust can be seen at night without the sunlight coming through.

Window in the choir loft is next in line for a big cleaning job.

This photo was taken in the daytime of the same choir loft window.  Obviously  a much cleaner window.

These windows have been cleaned.  Blue tape marks where repairs will be made.

A good "before and after" picture.  The Lexan had completely clouded the stained glass, preventing any visibility from the outside.

Cleaning in progress!

As each window is inspected, broken or damaged pieces are removed and sent back to the studio, so replacement pieces can be created, matching color, texture, and painted details as closely as possible.

The replacement pieces are shipped back, carefully backed and ready for installation in the window.

On some of the windows, significaant deterioration of the wood frames was found.  This was also replaced and reinforced.

Threaded rod is welded to sections of square steel tubing to be used for reinforcement.  The road goes through the wood frames at strategic points and is bolted on the inside.   After painting, the tubeing & rod is barely noticeable.

Reinforcing is visible  on the large Nativity window.

Reinforcing steel shows hee.   Small sections of the tubing are painted to match the vertical wood, to help camoflage the steel.

Prep work  has started on the wood window trim./

Much painting to be done, but so much easier from a lift than from a ladder.

Painting of lower windows from a ladder or scaffolding. 

Painting is underway.  Using the lighter color to match the terracotta helps the wood window trim be much more visible.

Pieces of tempered glass are prepared for  installation over the newly restored windows.

After delivery, the glass sections and metal trim rest in the church aisles before installation.

More glass sections waiting.  Hoping for no sudden wind gusts!

Metal trim for use with glass panels.