The Wonder of Stained Glass  

David Steventon

As a pre-teen, it was a source of wonderment to me that church windows which looked so drab from the outside looking in, could come alive with such vivid force when seen from the inside looking out.

My earliest recollection of this manifestation relates to my local Methodist Church in Hurst Green, in the West Midlands of the UK. A magnificent window at the end of the church facing the alter depicted Christ holding a lamp, knocking on the door, with the title, I am the Light of the World. Oh, the hours I would stand gazing on that magnificent spectacle, inspiring me spiritually and artistically.

And so, it was, that following the new-found wealth of the working class in the nineteen fifties and the acquisition of our first family car, my family’s frequent visits to the “seaside” included a visit and tour of the local parish churches. Each and every time I recall being blown away by the beauty and creativity expended to produce each stained-glass memorial window.

But just like cotton thread and sealing wax, stained glass gave way eventually to my teenage fascination with all things automotive. My auto-club job and vocational studies allowed no time for my childhood indulgencies.

Fast forward to 1980 in Surrey, British Columbia. My wife, Margaret and I had emigrated to Canada in 1975 and settled in the rodeo town of Cloverdale. My dearest and life-long friend, Art Boivin, master boat-builder and wizard at anything he turned his hand to, had the knack of studying and thoroughly researching any hobby or pastime he chose to pursue, from trap shooting to rocketry. So, it was, in 1980, he latched onto the hobby of stained glass.

My childhood fascination resurfaced, and I was bitten by the stained-glass bug. Off to the local store for a minimal set of tools, and of course, some stained glass and supplies. The pattern for my first crafted item was acquired from Art, and in no time at all, our kitchen sported a stained-glass lampshade (with me displaying three band-aids on my fingers due to too close encounters with razor sharp edges of glass). Of little wonder the glass transformed and displayed its pastel colors as soon as the light bulb was turned on. Just like my enthusiasm for the art form.

With budgetary creativity, necessary due to a young family and mortgage at insane interest rates of the time, I found the cash to expand my collection of tools (including a water-fed glass grinder) and plunged headlong into a journey of thirty-five years teaching myself improved techniques. Friends and family at holidays and birthdays were recipients of light-catchers produced from an array of coloured glass acquired from the local stained-glass store.

At that time, I elected to use the Tiffany method of assembly, which utilizes adhesive copper foil. Pieces are soldered together, with the solder beaded to produce a nice finish. The method allows the artist full reign on shapes and sizes of glass pieces in a given design. 

By the mid-eighties, my work had moved the family, lock stock and barrel, to the Ottawa Valley. Long winter nights in the basement motivated me to progress from light catchers to window panels. Nothing was safe, whether it be the side-light adjacent to the front door or the door glass in the dining-room hutch.

Then I realized my good fortune. Arriving in the Ottawa Valley gave me access to Northern Art Glass on Gladstone, close to Preston Street in Ottawa. I was blown away by the enthusiasm of the staff to share knowledge, skill techniques and opinions (oh yes, plenty of opinions) on window designs I proudly presented for their review. To this day, these people are my mentors and have taught me to improve my skills, including work using the traditional method of leaded glass.

Before I retired, I had the good fortune to attend annual meetings in Orlando, Florida. An older community - which seemingly refuses to accept that it is part of greater Orlando - is Winter Park. Located on its main street is a newer museum, the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum. Thanks to the McKean’s, a philanthropic couple of the mid 1900s, the museum displays a massive collection of Tiffany stained-glass. Each trip to Florida found me performing the same pilgrimage to the museum in search of solace and inspiration. An experience I recommend to anyone finding themselves in Orlando. (below: Tiffany Chapel, Morse Museum)

For those wanting to know more about the stained-glass art form, YouTube streams many interesting and informative how-to videos for beginners. And when the time is right, visit the local stained-glass studio to acquire tools, supplies and sage advice – then prepare to launch yourself into this truly magical art form.

- David Steventon