Delaware Co. Historical Society plans to restore church windows

     On Jan. 1, 1901, the congregation unanimously voted to build a new church and the work began when the German Lutheran congregation bought the old church building. The cornerstone was laid on July 25, 1901, and the new building was occupied on Jan. 2, 1902.

     The structure was built of cut stone procured from Hopkinton quarries, while the walls of the superstructure were of pressed brick with cut stone trimmings. The main audience room is square; the pews circular and the floor bowl-shaped. The windows of stained glass were imported from Bavaria and when the sun gleams through the windows, the sight is breathless. The sidewalls and ceiling are frescoed with a blending of colors and tones. Total cost of the building was $10,000, with the exception of $200.

     The Delaware County Historical Society is raising money this year to restore the stained glass windows in the Reformed Presbyterian Church. The work will consist of removing the existing protective covering, stabilize the cracked glass, re-cement the stained glass windows to the exterior surface, remove the loose paint on the outer surface of the millwork, apply both a primer coat and finish coat of paint, and a protective covering will then be installed. Some of the windows will have to be completely removed to undergo a program of historic restoration. There are 14 windows that need restoring at a cost of $73,000. If they’re not repaired now, they will be lost forever.

     To adopt a window, donate funds, or for more information, please contact Craig Lange at delcohistoricalsociety@gmail.com or by phone at 319-480-6684.