Marta Clements explains that the magnificent stained glass window in the Universalist Church of West Paris is in need of restoration.
WEST PARIS — According to Susanne Dunham, standing at the altar of the Universalist Church of West Paris when the sunlight filters through the many stained glass windows that line the walls can be a little distracting. In a good way.
“When you’re standing at the altar, it’s almost distracting, that big beautiful window that’s facing you,” said Dunham.
Dunham is a board member of the church. She describes the windows – built in 1906 when the church was dedicated and built – as an important historical artifact and source of pride for the congregation.
“This is one of the things we are so proud of at our church, these beautiful windows,” said Dunham.
But according to Dunham, these windows are in need of some care. Over 100 years worth of wear and tear has taken a toll on the windows. According to Marta Clements, a board member at the church, some significant issues include bowing and sagging, and a Plexiglas patch job of a window pane that had a rock hurled at it some 35 years ago.
Recently, a Minnesota based stained glass restoration company, called Willet Hauser Architectural Glass, estimated that removing repairing, and restoring the windows would cost about $50,000 dollars. According to Clements, that’s a big fundraising effort for the church.
“I’m sure there will be a lot of people that will send us a donation, but probably not a $50,000 donation,” said Clements.
The project still needs to be officially voted on and approved by the board, which Clements anticipates will happen at an upcoming board meeting. After, the fundraising will kick in overdrive. Clements said the fundraising will most likely take multiple forms, including grants, fundraisers, and a potential Go-Fund-Me.
But for Clements and Dunham, restoring the windows is worth the effort. According to Clements, almost every window is dedicated in memory of someone important to the church that has passed.
‘We don’t have many of their relatives left around here,” said Clements.
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