Cathedral’s windows being restored to preserve their beauty for future generations

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The preliminary work on the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is part of the One Family, Fully Alive in Christ! capital campaign. To learn more about the campaign’s five priorities, you may visit OneFamilyFullyAlive.org.

One can only imagine the number of weddings, baptisms, ordinations, funerals, and Masses the figures in the stained-glass windows at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception have witnessed.

Scott Hoefer, the owner of Hoefer’s Custom Stained Glass in South Hutchinson, is ensuring they will be a part of the lives of the faithful of the Diocese of Wichita for many more generations.

He and his crew removed the first window – a scene of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple – Tuesday, Oct. 15. Most of the windows will be removed and reconditioned at the South Hutchinson shop. Some of the smaller windows will be cleaned and repaired at the Cathedral.

Hoefer said as of last week the glass had been removed from the twin ventilators at the bottom of the window and rubbings have been made of the pattern of the lead work. Before the advent of air conditioning, the ventilators were pulled open to allow fresh air into the church.

Three widths of lead were originally used in the windows: 1/4-inch, 5/16ths, and 3/8ths. “It gives the window character,” he said, adding that they make sure they use the same leading in the restoration as was used originally. Photographs and measurements of the windows are also taken, he said.

“We have a couple of the sections of the window disassembled and have soaked in water for a day,” Hoefer said.

Cleaning the windows

The glass is soaked to make it easier to remove the cement putty that was originally packed around the lead.

“We’re cleaning it up and wiping off the painted portion,” he said. “We check all the painted glass before we do anything to make sure it’s been baked on very well so that it’s not going to scratch off.”

One of the reasons for the renovation is because the lead is now allowing the windows to bow after nearly 100 years of holding the glass together against the pull of gravity.

Lead is old and tired

“The lead is old and tired, Hoefer said, adding that he’s going to have to order quite a bit more lead for the project.

Some of Hoefer’s craftsmen were planning to begin reconstructing some of the window panels later last week, he said.

“That’s basically the process. We’re taking them out. We’re taking them apart. We’re cleaning them,” Hoefer said.

They also make any repairs necessary.

Invisible cracks

There are many, nearly invisible cracks in the glass, he said, which are repaired using an ultraviolet-hardened gluing process that is stronger than the glass itself.

Hoefer said the Cathedral’s windows were designed in sections which makes it much easier to remove. “That’s a blessing because sometimes we come across these churches and it’s like: Who can build the tallest and widest window?”

He said he bid on one job where the window in the church was a single large piece of glass, leaving him to wonder just how they transported the window 100 years ago. He and his crew were able to remove the window but because it was in such poor condition they cut the window into horizontal sections before transferring it to the repair shop.

“Now you would never know they were one piece at one time.”

Nothing exotic for the Cathedral

Nothing so drastic will be necessary for the Cathedral windows, however. The most exotic renovation will be done to the ventilator frame metal which will be sandblasted and powder coated. “It’s a lot better than the old Rustoleum paint,” he said.

Hoefer said the first window may be ready in about four weeks.

“The windows, they’re just tired,” he said. “Everything is going as planned.”

Many of the craftsmen have been with him a long time, Hoefer said, “We treat all the jobs the same but there’s something special about this job.”

The One Family Fully Alive! capital campaign underway

“While active fundraising for the Fully Alive! Campaign will continue through the middle of next year, thanks to the support we’ve already received, we’re excited to begin the initial restoration work on our Cathedral’s stained-glass windows,” said director of Development and Planned Giving, Mike Wescott.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to those donors who have already stepped up in a major way to support each of the campaign’s five priorities. With work beginning on these beautiful windows, it’s yet another milestone for us to collectively celebrate.”