New Hampshire

Union Chapel Update

Over the last year, we’ve had the pleasure of restoring the stained glass windows from Union Chapel. (See previous post here.) As this project nears completion, we’re taking a look back on our work. 

One of our first tasks was to repair the deflection of the Connick panels. This repair involved scraping out old putty, cutting lead joints and slowly flattening the lead over low heat. Depending on the severity of deflection, some panels required nearly 50 cuts on both sides, a labor intensive process for sure. (See blue tape spots on image below.) But we were able to save the original lead. Once the panels were flattened, we resoldered all the lead joints and puttied the panels on both sides. 

Some of the glass was smashed beyond repair. New pieces were acid-etched, painted and fired to match the originals. You’d be hard-pressed to tell which pieces are the replacements.

Next our attention turned to the large, plated opalescent window that sits above the altar. The panels have 2-3 layers of glass that work together to bring a sense of perspective to the scene. It’s a gorgeous window. By carefully removed failed lead, we were able to inspect and clean the glass between the layers. Seeing the rippling water effect up close was a highlight. We wrapped the layers of glass with copper foil to keep dirt out for good. Once the lead replacement was completed, we carefully puttied both sides of the panels. 

Union Chapel sits on a very exposed site, close to the ocean. As a result, many of the sashes required new lower stiles and bottom rails. The smallest sashes needed to be remade entirely. The originals had slipped to “firewood” condition.

The operable metal vents at the base of each window required even more restoration. We didn’t think they were salvageable, but our colleague Alaina, from A.M. Design and Fabrication in Providence, RI convinced us to let her try. She did an incredible job — they’re unrecognizable from their former selves.

We are making a big push in the next six weeks to get the windows completed and installed. We look forward to getting them back to their beautiful home by the sea. While there are question marks surrounding everything in peoples’ lives right now, we join the trustees of Union Chapel in hoping that this summer will still allow for the special moments and celebrations the chapel has always been known for.

NH State House — Bicentennial Window

This window is one of our proudest accomplishments to date. We were approached by our friends at the NH State House to build a commemorative window for the building’s bicentennial. The requirements? Fit with the existing stained glass in the building, commemorate the milestone, and get it done in less than three months, (gulp.) We got to work.

Matt tackled the initial designs and together with the State House team, we landed on the final. Our friend Duncan Reid help us make it into an at-scale, printable template.

The dimensions of the final design are 115”W x 31”H. Choosing glass was an incredibly important part of the process. There were many decisions to make. We ultimately went with darker parts for the border glass to the left and right, graduating to lighter amber selections in the middle. Fun fact: Despite the range of appearances, there are only 5-6 different glass “colors” in use across the whole window.

The medallion is the main focal point. Our inspiration came from archival images of the State House as built in 1819. We painted its likeness onto clear glass, using several layers of vitreous paints — a traditional and methodical process that requires a steady hand. The medallion was then kiln-fired by our colleague Patty Pagels of Accents in Glass in Hampton, N.H. and leaded into the center.

The build was the payoff. With so many decisions behind us, seeing it come together, was a treat. We plated the medallion with opalescent white glass for increased brightness and contrast. And at the last minute, we added a purple “dalle de verre” at the top of the window, representing the Purple Finch and Purple Lilac, two of New Hampshire’s state symbols. 

Our colleague Michael Wise from Woodworks constructed a custom-built, arched sash to house the leaded panels. The installation was December 30th, and with it came an early morning snowstorm, snarling the roads statewide. (Could have done without that.) But the window went into place beautifully and now sits above the interior courtyard.

Thank you to everyone at the NH State House who entrusted us with this incredible honor! We’re proud to know that our work will be part of NH’s great history.