St. Mary’s Restoration Project

Client
St Mary’s Cathedral

Year
05/01/2010

Restoration

In 1993-94 we undertook an extensive conservation and restoration of the stained glass windows in the Nave at St Mary’s Cathedral in Kingston, Ontario. The restoration project was overseen by conservator Andre Scheinman. 

We had to return in May of 2010 to restore 21 windows that were vandalized in the Nave and in the St James side Chapel.

The cathedral was designed by James Bowes and built in 1842. The façade towers and side Chapel were designed by Joseph Connelly and added in 1889. It is designated as a Heritage building.

The Nave windows, which date from 1875, are by Wales & Strong (Britain).

  • The windows were removed cleaned, outfitted with new perimeter leads, and re-cemented

  • The hinge areas were re-glazed with more rigid cames and strengthened with additional interior horizontal support bars and exterior vertical fins

  • Damaged glass was edge-glued and back-plated, and either thinly copper-foiled or reproduced, depending on the extent of the damage.

  • Etc

Before

The Chapel windows (1905) and tower windows (1940) are by Mayer Munich and Mayer New York, respectively. They were severely vandalized, and needed extensive restoration.

Restoring historical painted windows after extensive damage is a serious undertaking. Much of the historical mouth-blown glass is no longer produced and sourcing appropraite replacement glass can be a considerable challenge. Many of the glass pieces had to be replicated with traditional kiln fired vitreous enamel. The original lead cames had become very brittle and full of fissures, so the windows were re-leaded before being installed into the original stone reglets. 

The development and execution of the project included:

  • Working closely with the lead architect

  • Sourcing custom handmade stained glass

  • Building windows

  • Installation

  • Etc.

Before

After

After

Before

After