Sistersville Methodist Church New Look Stained Glass Windows

Since 2019, the congregation at Sistersville 1st United Methodist Church have been raising funds to restore the stained-glass windows of the historic church on Main Street. Members of the congregation had voiced for quite some time that they wanted to get new coverings on the outside of the stained-glass windows so that the people in the community and in the church could see the beautiful glass work. In 2019 a member of Willet & Hauser Architectural Glass was passing through the area and was offering free estimates. The Trustees of the church immediately jumped on the opportunity to see what it would cost to get new coverings for the outside of the windows. After an extensive investigation, an estimate was given. It was then the congregation realized the windows need more urgent attention than just new coverings.  Many windows had structural damage both inside and outside. The job of restoration of the windows was going to require a lot more money than previously anticipated, but that didn’t discourage the congregation from getting started.

We began sharing the news with members of the church, organizing and sponsoring golf tournament fundraisers, reaching out to local businesses and applying for grants to help us raise the funds needed to complete the important work of the restoration of the stained-glass windows. Throughout the pandemic money kept coming in, and people and businesses were so generous. 

In late April, enough money had been donated for members of the Willet & Hauser team to begin work on the restoration. The workers have completed about 75 % of the work to date, and it is amazing the transformation that has already taken place on the windows. Many around the community have complimented how great the windows look.  The work should be completed in the next several weeks.  This project has been a blessing to both the church and to the community.  The beauty of the stained-glass windows has returned and is shining down on the community. On June 4, 2022 we had our second golf tournament fundraiser to assist in raising funds for the project, and I am pleased to say we now have enough money to pay off the rest of the project.  A special thank you to everyone who donated and has made this project possible.