Posted December 30th, 2009
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.
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Detail of damaged stained glass window, showing daylight streaming through the opening created by the bowing of the wondow.
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 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.
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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.
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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.
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All photos courtesy of Mark Abeln of Rome of the West.
Posted November 21st, 2009
101st Anniversary of the Dedication of the Church
The present church building of St. Francis de Sales was completed and dedicated in a solemn ceremony on Novermber 26, 1908. This photo of the church appeared in the Golden Jubilee Souvenir Book published in 1917. (The first church building was erected in 1867, and destroyed by a tornedo in May, 1896.)
The following message to the parishioners of St. Francis de Sales was recorded in the Jubilee book:
We congratulate you to-day for the harmony and unexcelled co-operation that you have in the years gone by ever shown in the interest of your church. May this grand spirit that to-day finds a place in the heart of every parishioner, continue in the years to come. May we in the future work together as we have done in the past, so that the next Jubilee of St. Francis de Sales church may find, if possible, even greater reasons for rejoicing than the past fifty years have offered. Our parish to-day, on the day of its fiftieth anniversary, stands pre-eminent among the parishes of our diocese. The spirit of religion, the frequency with which our parishioners approach the Sacraments, your devotedness to your church, your sacrifices in her behalf, your real, genuine Catholic Faith stands as a shining example to all who have occasion to know the inner life of our parish. This it is, after all, which carries greatest weight before the Eternal Judge. Our good wishes to you to-day are that these grand and noble conditions may continue in our parish, and that each succeeding year may find you more worthy of the name you bear. That you continue walking in the footsteps of those noble men and women, who, by their sojourn in St. Francis de Sales parish, have merited the “Crown of Glory.”
Posted November 6th, 2009
In addition to the honorary memberships of Archbishop Robert J. Carlson, and Paul, Duke of Oldenburg, which were announced earlier this week, we wish to acknowledge four additional individuals who have graciously accepted our invitation to become members of the Board of Advisors.
III. Additional Members:
Mr. Arthur Connick, Financial Analyst, Chevron Corporation, San Ramon, California
Mrs. I-Wen Connick, Communications Specialist, Walnut Creek, California>
Mrs. Kristin Myles, Munger, Tolles & Olson, LLP, San Francisco, California
Mr. Steven K. Wichmer, Esq., Bernhardt and Wichmer, P.C.
Posted November 5th, 2009
His Highness, Paul, Duke of Oldenburg
Friends of St. Francis de Sales, Inc. is pleased to announce this week the expansion of its Board of Advisors.
II. His Highness, Paul, Duke of Oldenburg, Brussels, Belgium, and Bad Homburg, Germany
His Highness, Paul, Duke of Oldenburg, is no stranger to either tradition or nobility. A descendant from an old and illustrious lineage which included Queen Victoria and Czar Alexander II, and great-great grandson of the last German Kaiser Wilhelm II, the Duke was inspired by the beauty of the traditional form of the Latin Mass to explore the Catholic Faith. He converted and was received into the Catholic Church in 1999. In his native Germany, the Duke is a passionate spokesman for the cause of family values in society, which he actively promotes in both political and social arenas. The Duke has been a long-time friend and supporter of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. We are grateful for His Highness’ willingness to serve on the Board of Advisors and to actively support the restoration project at St. Francis de Sales Oratory.
Posted November 3rd, 2009
Archbishop Robert Carlson
Friends of St. Francis de Sales, Inc. is pleased to announce this week the expansion of its Board of Advisors.
I. His Grace, Archbishop Robert J. Carlson, Archbishop of St. Louis
First and foremost, we are grateful that His Grace, Archbishop Robert J. Carlson of St. Louis, has graciously accepted our invitation to become an honorary member of the Board of Advisors. In addition to the moral support His Grace gives to our endeavors, Archbishop Carlson’s membership on our Board of Advisors enriches the entire restoration campaign with spiritual resources found in the Church. His honored presence is deeply appreciated.
Posted August 24th, 2009
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
