Client: Our Lady of Loreto Catholic Church

Overview

The Catholic Church Community of Our Lady Of Loreto commissioned Scott Parsons with the design for five circular Altar window each 6.5’ diameter and 10 clerestory windows each 2.5’ wide x 3.2’ high and one circular West window. Total 485 sq ft of art glass window. The Altar windows show the four seasons and the Lamb of God. The 10 clerestory windows show the theme of the hierarchy of Angels.

The church and its windows had been built 10 years ago and both the artist and Derix Glasstudios had to work with the existing frames and their divisions.

Goals

For the church it was important to install windows which are clearly from the 21st century. The design theme of Angels allowed the artist to work in abstract and painterly with notions of fire, wind, joy, solitude, etc. Figurative motifs have been integrated as well to support the liturgical aspect.

The church parish wanted the glass colors to create color reflections into the building.

Process

Hand-blown glass was acid etched in multiple layers. The generous brush strokes on glass are created by hand painting several different vitreous enamels on two layers. Various layers of airbrushing glass enamels achieve the effect of colors melting into each other. All hand-blown glass pieces have been laminated evenly onto tempered safety glass. The clerestory windows are installed as one piece to the existing frames.

Additional Information

These windows are not just contemporary; the church parish has left a mark of the 21st century for the next generations. They also serve as an educational tool for the school within the complex of the church, where students are studying them. Scott Parsons' windows have left several spectators in tears of joy and appreciation. “I invite everyone to come out and engage with the windows,” Msgr. Buelt of Our Lady said. “They are already being hailed as a masterpiece of stained glass and a major advance of contemporary theological art.”