In 1865 during construction, the building was filled with a “new” kind of glass that was claimed to match medieval patterned grisaille windows which fill gothic churches in Europe.
In stained glass, the term grisaille (Derived from the French gris or grey) refers to an ornamental non-figurative design painted in black line on colorless glass with panels of colored glass against a background of plain glass. Originating in the 12th-century to promote simplicity and light, these windows use geometric or patterns to create light-filled meditative spaces rather than narrative colored scene.
The majority of these sanctuary windows were replaced by Tiffany Glass and Decorating Co. figure windows. Today, only a few of these painted stenciled glass windows remain in the building. The sanctuary contains them in the north transept (see below) plus the three rose windows in the three gables. There are several other surviving examples on the third floor of the parish house section of the building.
2013 Window Restoration
The original Gothic windows in the north transept had deteriorated to a state that they had many large cracks, missing glass and a build up of debris on the exterior. It was decided they should be completely removed and historically restored.
In 1894 the rose windows were painted over with dark red paint when the Tiffany windows were put in, because so much light came through them that the Tiffany favrile glass suffered from the light. They are also largely hidden by the tracery elements added to the trusses by the Tiffany Studio.
In 2015, the east gable rose window desperately needed to repaired. The architect and church struggled whether to restore the window to the original 1865 appearance or maintain the “blacked-out” look from the Tiffany installation. We opted to restore to the original 1865, which is why more of the window is now visible.