Historical Windows
Trinity Lutheran Church's Stained Glass windows are over 100 years old!
These 18 works of art were commissioned from the Kokomo Opalescent Glass Co in Indiana, and installed at Trinity in 1919. They display in picture and print the entire Lord's Prayer. As you can imagine, after over 100 years, the windows are starting to show signs of their age. They are in need of repair and restoration. The members of Trinity Lutheran Church began restoring the windows 24 years ago. A nationwide search led us to our own "backyard" in Oregon where a reliable, highly acclaimed and knowledgeable stained glass artist has his own studio. He has agreed to restore, for a fee, these windows to their former glory! If you are interested in seeing these remarkable windows, Trinity Lutheran has both guided and self-guided tours available by appointment. If you are interested in a tour, please fill out the contact form on our Contact Us page, or you may call the church office at 503-873-2635.
We hope to continue to restore all 18 of our windows as funds allow, so we are asking for pledges or donations towards the full and speedy restoration of these magnificent works of art. That way, our generation and future generations can continue to enjoy these beautiful landmarks in Silverton for another 100 years to come! Donations can be sent to the church, Care of: Sunshine Through The Decades, payable to Trinity Lutheran Church, any denomination will be gratefully accepted. Specify the donation to go towards the "Windows". Thank you for your interest in these beautiful, one of a kind windows, come and take a tour!!
The beautiful stained glass windows were placed in the church in 1919, when the 2nd church building was erected. They were commissioned by the congregation, and built at the Kokomo Stained Glass Factory in Indiana. There are 17 windows in total; 2 in the bell tower, 1 in the balcony of the Sanctuary, 11 single windows and 2 double windows in the Sanctuary, and 2 windows in the Narthex downstairs. All the windows in the Sanctuary say a part of The Lord's Prayer wrapping around the Sanctuary and into the Narthex. In the 1990's, the congregation started a fundraising drive called "Sunshine Through the Decades" to begin the restoration of the windows. Over time, the lead in the windows will 'sag' and the glass becomes vulnerable. Sometimes there is fading in the colors of the glass. The restoration company removes the window, re-leads and colors the windows as necessary, and re-installs the windows. There is a protective plexi-glass covering installed on the outside of the window frame to block some UV rays and protect the window from damage. Each window costs approximately $4,000-$5,000 to refurbish, with a double window costing twice as much. So far we have refurbished 11 of the 17, with 6 windows left to go! If you would like a tour of the windows, or would like information on giving to the Sunshine Through The Decades fund, please call our office at 503-873-2635, or email Trinity!
