February 2012
Many Hands Make Light Work
by Karen L. Kirsch
The name Estancia roughly translates to "a place of rest," but there's been little rest in the dusty ranching village since 2008. That's when the trustees of Estancia United Methodist Church made the ambitious decision to replace fifty-three windows in their century-old church. Over the decades the little church that was originally built by volunteers has withstood fires and floods, yet it remains a strong and beautiful structure because of the community's resourcefulness and commitment to its preservation. Now, thanks to another cadre of volunteers a beautiful new light shines into this historical place of worship.
In 1958, the windows were painted to resemble stained glass, but time had taken an ugly toll. The flaking paint needed frequent touch-ups and no one wanted to do it anymore. Estimates to replace the windows with stained glass were unrealistic for the congregation of just fifty active members, so they took things into their own hands. Call it divine intervention if you will, but as committee chairperson Bill Simms says, "There's been one miracle after another…"
The first was when stained glass artists Della and Mel Stephenson offered to lead a do-it-yourself project to design and build new windows. Then an Albuquerque stained glass business that was up for sale agreed to sell everything to the church for just $1,000. "Miracle number two," says Bill. "Next, a workspace was donated and within two weeks the first windows were on the drawing board and under construction. Nobody believes it was just a coincidence."
The finished windows are remarkable. "Professional glass people have come to look at what we've done and they think it's awesome," says project manager Mel Stephenson. The undertaking flourished because of enthusiasm and support beyond just the congregation.
Mountainair resident Larry Gustin owned an old building in Estancia and donated its use, but warned the property was for sale. Work at the improvised glass studio was well underway when the building sold in December 2009 and they had to vacate by January 1. Shut-down was averted when Shorty Martinez, owner of the Shortstop Restaurant offered his defunct diner with the same stipulation; the building was on the market.
"Many hands made it all possible," recalls Simms. Hearing of their predicament, local ranchers Donna and Bill Neish brought their stock trailer and helped relocate in the midst of a snowstorm. A small army of carpenters, painters and other helpers quickly transformed the old diner into a studio, and work was barely disrupted. Soon, both the church and the workshop became tourist attractions.
Project manager Della Stephenson admits, "I was apprehensive…in the beginning. It was bigger than anything we'd (she and Mel) ever done before…, but it has all worked out. The volunteers have been phenomenal." Three days each week the sun-filled studio buzzes with activity; the zipping sound of cutting glass or the whir of grinders, friendly banter and enthusiastic compliments from folks stopping by to check on the progress.
Butch McGee remembers feeling spiritually moved when he saw the painted windows in 1958, so in spite of facetious comments, he felt compelled to volunteer. "Working on this has brought me closer to my fellow parishioners and to the church," he says.
His sentiments are echoed by the entire crew, not all of whom are church members like Jan Cool who is credited with designing and building the prominent Nativity window. She says, "I'd done stained glass as a hobby, but I learned a lot working on this project, improved my skills and made a lot of new friends."
Typically two people build each window which takes about two months from start to finish. Installation involves a different crew of workers. Local contractor Don Mitchel loaned the group scaffolding, but the crew soon discovered the window openings of the 1904 church were out of square. Like every other glitch, carpenters addressed the problem in stride.
Creating stained glass windows is tedious work even for experienced artists. Mel and Della started the novice group with simple designs, but as their proficiency in the craft developed the details and artistry became increasingly intricate.
"They start with a compilation of images… and merge them into the final design," explains Simms. Some complex scenes like the Lord's Supper required design modification and the help of parishioner/architect Ray Darnell who adjusted the three-window dimensions so the Disciples faces wouldn't be split by seams.
Although the initial $1,000 set-up cost was within the congregation's budget, subsequent expenses have been met through fundraisers and donations from some unexpected places. Clever workers used glass scraps to make ornaments which they continue to sell at craft fairs and also use to decorate the church Christmas tree. When a ninety second video of the project was televised donations poured in from all over the country. What began as one tiny congregation's project extended far beyond the cottonwood-lined streets of Estancia. Butch McGee's angel ornaments went clear to Rome to be presented to the Pope.
Rancher Gayle Clark was instrumental in window building and fundraising from the onset. Her interest in art and horses proved serendipitous. When she and Marcia Fitzner weren't working on the windows they were making small stained glass items to sell at local fundraisers, but Gayle's equine expertise also generated some commissioned horse-themed pieces with proceeds donated to the window project.
The project was never without minor setbacks; glass broke, wood warped and equipment wore out. Pastor Charles Spooner arrived on the scene after the trustees' decision to replace the windows. He will retire this summer prior to a dedication. Through it all the workers persevered.
While the themes are traditional, each design is unique and bears the distinct mark of its maker. Volunteers all speak of deep personal inspiration and each has left a unique message in the designs, although none of the windows are signed. The new windows are expected to last another century, but their long-lasting beauty won't be merely aesthetic. Protective interior and exterior glass will also insulate the church and conserve heat. The church plans to publish a book chronicling the project from start to finish. A formal dedication is planned for sometime this summer.
"This is a small church in a modest community, but together we found a way to make something beautiful happen," reflects Bill Simms. Indeed they have.
Return to top
