Glass windows come alive

Posted

NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. — James Donahue reveals that a strong faith guides him as he delicately places pieces of colorful stained glass to create beautiful church windows.

“You paint with the glass,” he said, comparing a sheet of stained glass to an artist’s palette. Since many sheets have vibrant swirls or several tones of one color, the material can be manipulated to depict shading or folds in clothing.

Donahue works with hundreds of sheets of glass of various textures and in a virtual kaleidoscope of colors.

“It makes the piece come alive,” the artisan revealed.

Donahue works with translucent cathedral glass and multicolored opaque glass that resembles creamy vanilla ice cream with streams of vibrant color running across its surface.

It costs $500 to $5,000 to refurbish a stained glass window, depending on its size and the amount of work that needs to be done. While it is difficult to match every color exactly — especially if the glass is a few decades old — most windows can be restored to their original condition in two or three weeks.

The business owner credits his late uncle, Albert Lapierre, a respected liturgical artist, for teaching him everything about stained glass and religious art.

“He taught me about the business — color, composition, design,” Donahue recalled, adding that the seeds of his own strong Catholic faith were nurtured at the former Sacred Heart School in Pawtucket, and later at the former Our Lady of Providence Seminary High School in Providence, from which he graduated in 1974.

Donahue is carrying on the family tradition by passing his extensive knowledge to his children, Kevin. 25, and Tracy, 23.

“She is my salvation,” he said, glancing at the young woman, whose responsibilities include office duties, as well as cutting and laying glass before it is soldered, and painting fine details on the windows.

Kevin Donahue explained when a damaged window is brought into the large studio, all reinforcements are removed and a print is made, using carbon paper and newsprint. His sister then makes a computer rendering, which gives the exact measurements and outline.

The window is then submerged in a heated water table, which prevents dust from the dried putty and decomposing lead to become airborne. The warm water also softens the lead.

While submerged, the window is taken apart just like a jigsaw puzzle .

The artisans then match color and texture by looking through hundreds of glass sheets on the premises and pouring through catalogs from several glass manufacturers.

“We come pretty close,” said James Donahue. “The chances of finding an exact match are tough.”

Once a match or close approximation is made, the glass is cut, medallions and fine details are painted, and the window is reconstructed,

The lead frame is cut to fit each section and carefully soldered. Then putty is placed in the lead channels to ensure that the glass is secure and weatherproof – a time-consuming process that also ensures the window will last for decades.

The restored window is then cleaned and polished, and metal reinforcements are installed before the finished piece is carefully transported back to its point of origin and reinstalled.

The craftsmen just laugh when asked if they’ve ever dropped a church window during the complex

installation process — obviously recalling a few close calls.

Donahue noted that the company has restored or created windows in several diocesan churches, including St. Barnabas Church, Portsmouth, where a window from the former Navy chapel in Newport was recently incorporated into a new design depicting the Risen Christ over the ocean.

The company has created windows for several other Diocesan churches, including a depiction of St. Francis of Assisi at St. Joseph Church, Scituate; The Good Shepherd and Pope John Paul II windows at Sacred Heart Church, East Providence; and The Calming of the Seas window, located in St. Veronica Chapel, Narragansett.

The artisans feel the windows enrich a worshipper’s spiritual journey and help lead a person to prayer.

“The windows give them pride in their church,” said Kevin Wallace. “It enhances people’s faith.”

To contact the New England Stained Glass, call (508) 699-6965; or visit the company’s Web site, www.NewEnglandStained Glass.com.