Uvalde UMs preserve historic windows

By Rachel L. Toalson
Staff Writer
When leaders of First UMC, Uvalde, began discussing renovations to their 99-year-old building, members had one request: keep the stained glass windows.
The renovation project has been “on the table” for some time, said the Rev. Scott Bradford, pastor of the 717-member congregation. Leaders considered tearing the building down and starting new. But most members couldn’t bear the thought of damaging the windows.
“They’re gorgeous,” Bradford said. “They catch your eye immediately. That’s probably largely why we’re not (tearing the building down). Maybe they could have been saved and put into a new building, but it would have been a lot of work, and maybe more costly than the project already is.”
Because the art of making stained glass has changed in the 100 years since the windows were created, Bradford said great care has been taken in the renovation process.
The original maker of the windows, Ford Brother’s Glass of Minnesota, is no longer in business—though it has windows all over the nation. Therefore, Uvalde leaders engaged Caval-lini Stain Glass of San Antonio to clean and fix the windows’ leading.
Workers currently are cleaning the inside and outside of the windows, the first of many steps in the $2 million building renovation project, Bradford said. The window renovations accounts for about $200,000 of the total.
“What I find interesting is that the original church was built for about $28,000,” Bradford said. One stained glass window would probably sell for more than that today.
After the windows are repaired, the sanctuary is to be renovated, Bradford said. That involves repairing brickwork and making the building completely handicap-accessible.
Stained glass windows completely surround the sanctuary, Bradford said. Three of them can be seen only from the outside. The church has 57 stained glass windows in all, some of them 30 feet in height.
Many show symbols, such as a cross and a crown. A few present colorful scenes.
A window depicting the Good Samaritan on the south side of the sanctuary was given to the church by Capt. and Mrs. Smith and dedicated to the ladies of the Missionary Society, according to the church history, written by Bobbie Fly.
The matching window on the north side, showing Jesus knocking at a door, was given by the congregation to “honor a beloved circuit rider and his wife, the Rev. and Mrs. N.W. Keith,” Fly wrote.