Save the Oratory’s Stained Glass Windows

Emergency work was ordered and performed on the stained glass windows on the north side of the Oratory this Christmas.

One of the consequences of the shifting foundation of the church tower is the cracking in the masonry and the bowing of the historic stained glass windows of the church. The windows most seriously affected are the ones on the north side, on the right side of the choir loft. Unfortunately, the structural damage of the windows has reached a point where it is now necessary to remove the stained glass segments in order to save them.

Detail of damaged stained glass window, showing daylight streaming through the opening created by the bowing of the wondow.

Close-up of damaged section   Due to compressive stress exerted on the main church building by the tower whose foundation has shifted, one of the stained glass windows has been seriously affected.  The metal support of the stained glass artwork has been bent outward over time, resulting in a gap in the seam.  Immediate intervention is necessary to maintain the integrity of the window and to salvage the irreplaceable artwork.

After removal, the stained glass sections will be carefully stored, and the large openings in the window covered with painted wood for the time being. Complete restoration of the stained glass windows cannot take place until the tower foundation is stabilized. In addition, extensive work is now needed to reinforce the terra cotta columns with horizontal steel bars to maintain its stability.

The stained glass artwork in St. Francis de Sales Oratory was made by Emil Frei, Sr., who immigrated to the United States from Bavaria, Germany, in the late 1800s. The stained glass creations overseen by several generations of the Frei family are renowned throughout the country. Stephen Frei, the great-grandson of the man who designed and made these windows at St. Francis de Sales, is now managing the removal and repair of the windows. We are indebted to Emil Frei Associates, Inc. for their dedication to find an innovative solution to preserve these windows until future repair may take place. The permanent restoration of the stained glass windows will begin only when the tower foundation is stabilized.

Current interior view of the affected window from the choir loft in the church, showing the beautiful Emil Frei artwork backlit by daylight. While the stained glass sections are in storage awaiting restoration, temporary wood  inserts will be used to cover up the opening. This view of the stained glass window will not be seen again until the tower foundation is stabilized.

All photos courtesy of Mark Abeln of Rome of the West.

These recent photos speak for themselves: Enormous progress was made last week in renovating the living quarters for the sisters of the Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus Christ Sovereign Priest in anticipation of the imminent first arrival of Sister Marie of the Love of God.  The kitchen (not shown) is largely finished, while work continues in the bedrooms and bathroom.

Friends of St. Francis de Sales Oratory is deeply grateful to all the volunteers, including many families, who have contributed countless hours of spirited labor to this effort.  We are also deeply indebted to BELFOR Property Restoration, whose professional expertise, efficiency, and quality workmanship shine through in these photographs.

The renovation work speeds ahead in various sections of the Convent.  The continuing, generous support of all our benefactors is also evident in photos showing the work in progress, below:

Photos courtesy of Mark Scott Abeln

^{The Light is Coming Back On – Somebody’s Home}

A year ago, the convent on the campus of St. Francis de Sales Oratory was vacated for the last time. The rooms were emptied and the lights turned off. With disuse and lack of maintenance over the years, the convent has become a dilapidated shell of what it once was. Except for a few rooms used occasionally, the air is stale, windows dingy, paint peeling, fixtures broken, and the walls and floor shabby with a covering of dust.

Pope Benedict XVI greets Sister Marie of the Love of God

All this is about to change.

Two weeks ago it was announced that the women religious branch of the Institute of Christ the King, with the name of Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus Christ Sovereign Priest, will be exploring the possibility of establishing a community in the US. The Oratory is the perfect location to host the Sister Adorers since it already has a convent facility. The first sister, Sister Marie of the Love of God, would arrive at the end of August.

Restoring the convent to a habitable condition became an urgent top priority for the Friends of St. Francis de Sales. We are deeply grateful that numerous volunteers, including many families, immediately responded to an appeal for help to fix up the convent. From these willing hands, many man-hours have been applied to stripping floors, cleaning, and removing debris.

In addition, through the introduction of a friend of the Oratory, BELFOR USA, a global leader in property restoration, has offered to undertake this renovation effort on a pro bono basis. Within one week of hearing about our great need, BELFOR USA dispatched representatives to assess the scope of the project so that work may begin immediately.

BELFOR USA, with a branch office in St. Louis, specializes in property restoration, working closely with insurance companies, notably in recovering commercial and residential properties due to water, fire, and wind damage in severe disasters. Their proficiency in this sector of the renovation industry has hinged on many innovative techniques derived from years of R&D efforts.

In a generous and magnanimous response to this community need, BELFOR USA is applying their leading-edge professional expertise to help us solve our problem. The package of services they are donating includes thoroughly cleaning, painting, and repairing the front steps and foyer, a suite (two rooms and bath) for Sister Marie, the kitchen, and two community rooms. Initial work to prep the work areas began on Tuesday, August 11, so that the bulk of the renovation may begin on Thursday, August 13. We are deeply moved by this magnanimous spirit of public service shown by our new friends, BELFOR USA.

Indeed, the Friends of the St. Francis de Sales Oratory are very blessed with many generous helpers who are contributing to this endeavor in various ways: by connecting us to generous benefactors such as BELFOR USA, and by donating time and labor to do additional work to complete this renovation so that we can welcome the first Sister Adorer to the US.

Restoration of the Oratory is anticipated to be a long and arduous process. It began at the High Altar, which is now in use every day of the year, followed by the renovation of the Sacristy, supporting the work at the High Altar. And now the renovation of the convent: it is a sure indication that this growing community welcomes the prospect of Sisters living and serving among us again. The long-term restoration of St. Francis de Sales cannot be accomplished without the support and participation of individuals and families committed to its future. The work to renovate the convent is a wondrous and hopeful sign that the gradual transformation of the Oratory will not be of the physical edifice only, but will reflect the revitalization of the community as well.

The lights of the convent were turned off for a while. But they are coming back on.

BELFOR Property Restoration provides a single source recovery solution specializing in commercial and residential properties due to water, fire, and wind damage.  BELFOR provides water mitigation, mold remediation, document restoration, electronic restoration, reconstruction, consulting, and continuing education programs. Corporately owned with 184 locations globally in over 20 countries. For more information about BELFOR USA see: www.us.belfor.com