November 21, 2009

Dear Friends and Parish Members,

I am writing to tell you about a new, exciting and wonderful project to preserve and restore the nine stained glass windows that contribute so much to the character and charm of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at Ellicott Mills. I am seeking your help and support to complete this effort.

We have raised about two-thirds of the funds needed to accomplish this task, which will cost about $10,500 with the work being done by a nationally known company – Associated Crafts. Each of the eight smaller windows require about $800 of work primarily resealing and recovering the exterior glass as the windows currently have moisture accumulating between the interior glass and exterior plastic covering because the vents have failed. The most expensive element, costing nearly $5000, is for the largest window representing St. Peter in the front of the Church. One section of this window will need to be removed and flattened. Other preservation efforts will also be needed to strengthen the window, including adding new wood molding, which was destroyed by years of roof leaks now corrected.

In 1940, when St. Peter’s Church was being rebuild, rising from the ashes of the old church that burned in 1939, nine unique, stained glass windows where installed honoring many long-time and faithful clergy, vestry and congregants from that era and before. Now after nearly 70 years, it is time to preserve and restore all of these windows for current and future church members to enjoy.

The windows at St. Peter’s Church are not Tiffany glass, but our windows, if we had to replace them now, would cost about $85,000. Since these windows contribute so much to the hominess and warm feeling at St. Peter’s during worship services, it is well worth the investment to extend their useful life for at least another 70 years.

One of the most fascinating things about St. Peter’s windows is the dedications made for specific people. We now have some facts about each person named and their role and service at St. Peter’s. We have been able to collect a few photographs of these people. We feel much better knowing who they were and why they were chosen to be honored when the windows were installed in 1940. The basic information is currently on your church web site and we are working towards finishing the collecting of photographs and more information about each person before the window restoration project is finished in the next couple of months.

So please consider joining your friends at St. Peter’s to help restore and preserve our stained windows and join us sometime this spring to celebrate and rededicate the windows. Contributions can be sent to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 3695 Rogers Avenue, Ellicott City, Maryland, 21043. Be sure to note your contribution is for the window project. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Guy W. Hager