The building is 105 years old and looking better than ever.
Especially with uniquely detailed stained glass windows adorning the St. Peter’s Cathedral outside of Muenster.
Nov. 22 was a dessert and dedication night to celebrate the parishioners and pioneers that those windows were dedicated to, with the last window being installed around October this year.
Christy Waldner who worked on the stained glass window project says that before they installed the stained glass, they just had mac tac, which didn’t look nice.
“It didn’t fit in with the beauty of the church,” says Waldner, “which was another motivation.”
Elaina Adams of Priaire Glass was the artist behind the new stained glass windows everywhere in the cathedral, from the choir loft to the sacristy.
She worked with the families to produce works that reflect the history of the area and the history of the family.
“For the most part, I was able to do whatever the family requested down to horses and cows in some of the windows.”
Upper windows close to the ceiling line were ones that could not have too much detail so some requests could not be filled.
Lower windows at eye level were a little more forgiving when it came to adding details into the design, says Adams.
“That’s where I said you guys could do whatever you want in this section because if it is highly detailed, it would be very visible.”
The prairie landscape was a theme that the families and the committee focused on considering the history of the area.
Adams says that everyone has pioneer stories and these windows will tell that story for years to come.
“These windows and these stories are still going to be relevant even 100 years from now. This is still going to be a relevant part of our history.”
Working with glass to create a picture is different than painting, says Adam. It’s not just blending to get the colours you need but going through the glass you have and deciding the colour that works.
“That can make it more challenging because I do have a limited range. And when I say limited, it’s still thousands of colours.”
It is about having the right kind of glass, and picking it all out, says Adams. But she does have fun with it.
Technique wise, there were many different ways to work with glass and Adams worked with many different forms.
Letting is the traditional way of working glass from the time period the cathedral was built especially with the fact that it is a church setting but Adams incorporated other techniques as well.
“Because of the detail, I did incorporate more contemporary methods too, like copper foil and fusing.”
This has been the biggest project for Adams to date. Working with Ralph Britz and the committee on the restoration project was a treat, she says, especially when Britz and her spoke the same language.
“He spoke the language I was speaking in terms of installation, ventalation. I know they were properly installed.”
Adams says she would not have been able to complete the project without her helpers, especially Emily Sterling, who has been a key part in building the windows, says Adams.
Renovations started in 2008. Through giving local families the opportunity to purchase windows in the cathedral and dedicate them to families that helped settle the area, the renovations were completed funded without any loans.
All the renovations were done by local tradesmen who volunteered time and equipment to the project.
If they were paid, the asked for a discounted rate, says Waldner.
“They didn’t charge the going rate. Everything was cost effective and lots of volunteer.”
The current building was built in 1910 and was the centre of St. Peter’s colony.
