Stained Glass Condition Survey: United Church of Christ, Tavares, Florida

For this project I visited the United Church of Christ in Tavares, Florida. It is one of the oldest churches in the area, built in 1888 on donated land from the founder of the town of Tavares. The church retains all of the original stained glass which was installed the same year. I was able to talk with one of the deacons who connected me with a woman who was part of a restoration crew back in the 1980s.

The stained glass throughout the church is in remarkably great shape. I learned that the glass has not been touched, other than the addition of the protective screens which were attached to the exterior frames to guard from excess damage. There is no indication of manufacturer nor the date of manufacture, although I was informed that the history records indicate the stained glass is original and was installed in 1888, during the construction of the church. No other records are around which could help in determining the manufacturer nor the date of manufacture.

The came which joins the glass pieces together is in excellent condition. On the glass which I focused my investigations, I noticed there were two horizontal bands of raised came, perhaps a supporting element to secure the glass. The glass is in great condition, no noticeable cracks or chips. The bubbling is noticeable in the glass as is a protective glazing pane as you look through the glass (through the blue and yellow glasses). I was informed it is the original glass from 1888, no alterations nor reproductions have been introduced. When I inquired about a maintenance plan I was stunned to learn there is no plan in order. There was an interior restoration completed back in the 1980s, focusing on the interior flooring and seating.

There were later additions in the 1990s of a rear rectangular entry with a covered porch, and stained glass was added to the space to fit in with its surroundings, although it is a different style completely and the windows are square and not similar to the long arched windows. Considering there is no maintenance plan in order is very amazing to me, especially as it is the original glass and the fact that lately there has been excessive construction on the main road flanking the left side of the church. The deacon informed me the church is quite worried the increase of vibrations from the construction work may begin to have negative impacts on the strength and integrity of the stained glass. I urged him to implement a proper maintenance plan to ensure the longevity of the glass and the building’s wooden structure.