Stained Glass Restoration

For years, they were part of the splendor at Saint Irenaeus Church in Clinton. Three large stained glass windows are the originals from the church. Over time, pieces from the windows began to deteriorate, and were desperately in need of repair.

That's where technicians from Glass Heritage of Davenport stepped in. For several months, the technicians have been involved in a labor intensive project to restore the windows. Each piece of glass is cleaned. Technician Patricia Rogers says the pieces are placed on a build pattern. That pattern shows the lead lines of the windows. 

Kirk Prebyl says technicians do their homeowrk before the repairs and replacements are made. Technicians spend hours planning, documenting, and finding ways to restore the windows as much as possible to their original look. Workers treasure every scrap of original glass, replacing the original only when there is no other choice.

The three windows depict the Crucified Christ, and two figures on either side. Each of the windows has about a thousand pieces of stained glass. The windows should be installed in the church in June.

The Clinton County Historical Society owns the church building. The society acquired it when the Diocese of Davenport decided to close the church.  The society raised about fourteen thousand dollars for the restoration work. Glass Heritage is certified by the Stained Glass Association of America.