Our Stained Glass Windows
Charles Petty was the pastor at Pine Tree Cumberland Presbyterian Church from 1980-1984. Before he became the pastor, he was a commercial artist and came up with the idea to make stained glass windows for the church with church members.
He asked these church members who were in an art class if they would be interested in putting stained glass in the windows of the church sanctuary. Three members, Betty Peterson, Lucille Stephenson, and Mabel Toler volunteered to tackle the project in 1981.
Neither Reverend Petty nor the women knew anything about making stained glass windows, so this became a huge undertaking and learning experience for them all. Reverend Petty researched the steps to get started and the women found an instruction book to learn the process. With his encouragement the project was started.
Reverend Petty visited several glass manufacturers to learn as much as possible about making stained glass windows. He learned where to buy the specific glass, the tools used to cut and hold in place and the ladies practiced their cutting skills.
Glass for the windows was purchased directly from the manufacturers. The glass was ordered $1000 at a time which was close to 2000 pounds of glass. He ordered German and Italian glass as well as glass made in the United States.
None of the glass ordered was textured or dark. They used colors that best related to the meaning of the church symbols. Rev. Petty considered the windows as more than just stained glass.They were art glass with illustrations.
He first purchased a cutter and the women cut his designs. Special cutting oil and pliers for snapping and breaking glass were used. Then the pieces are framed and lead solder is melted and used to outline the glass and hold it in place. He demanded perfection and would have them do it over until it was just right.
The first window made by the ladies was of a dove. Seen in the first picture in the collection. Also from the first window, while he drew Jesus, Betty Peterson stood barefooted on a table with a sheet wrapped around her so he could use her feet for the design.
Full windows and above each main display a transoms (half windows) were created. They worked hard every day for over two years. As each window was completed, two men installed the windows. They were covered on the outside with a clear material to protect them.
These beautiful, exquisite, expensive glass windows in the sanctuary are very special because they were made by three church members as well as the pastor in 1981 and 1982. Very few churches have all stained glass windows made by church members.
On July
