Background

We are worshipping in Fellowship Hall, there has been a big empty hole where the beautiful Gethsemane window used to be, and there are organ pipes all over the pews!  Oh, and nobody can go into the Sanctuary!!  What is going on?

In 2024, an observant parishioner noticed what appeared to be a hole in the plaster surrounding the window.   Gilbertson Stained-Glass Studio was called and, using a drone, found the window was beginning to bow outward due to the weakness of the lead and the weight of the glass itself along with multiple cracks in the lead that hold the individual pieces of glass together.  Representatives from Gilbertson advised the church that the window would have to be restored by 2025/2026 or risk the window falling out.

This information, as well as a report by Ed Gilbertson, was given to the Accountable Leadership Board (ALB) for discussion in mid-2024.  The ALB decided to authorize the repair of the window during the summer of 2025.  There was a brief discussion about launching a capital campaign to cover the costs, but given that the church would be getting a new pastor in 2025, it was concluded that the time was not right for a campaign.

The ALB and the Endowment Committee agreed that the funds could be drawn from the Lucy Neff account and those funds were frozen to ensure that this $120,360 repair project would be covered. 

Steps to Repair

This project has been divided among 5 contractors that have worked flawlessly together to make the project go smoothly.

1. Schantz Organ Company was responsible for disassembly, packing, and reassembly of the center section of our organ.  Their final task will be to tune the organ after reassembly of the pipes.  
2. API Construction (scaffold division) was responsible for building a 3-level scaffold system that allowed workers to climb up to the organ platform and then 2 different levels allowing Gilbertson Stained-Glass Studio the ability to safely remove the window. API was subcontracted via Gilbertson Stained-Glass Studio.
3. Gilbertson Stained-Glass Studio has done a great job and took very good care of our window.  They removed all 12 panels and transported them to their facility in Lake Geneva, WI.  While in the studio the panels were disassembled by removing all the lead joints, washing and polishing each piece of glass and finally reassembling the pieces back together with new lead joints and sealant into the frames.  The panels were reassembled at WAUMC.
4. Milwaukee Plaster repaired all the chipped plaster around the window.
5. Two Day Painting painted all of the plaster.

How You Can Help 

This repair was able to be approved by the ALB due to the endowments that were already available.  The Endowment Committee is actively seeking donations to cover the cost of this repair and allow the Lucy Neff Fund be replenished for future, unexpected projects.

We have already raised $48,000 of the cost! WAUMC applied for and was awarded a $25,000 grant from the George F. Moss Foundation.  In addition, $23,000 has been donated from current parishioners toward the window restoration.

Your donation will help toward the long-term preservation of this glorious window which serves as the focal point of our worship in the Sanctuary. If you have questions about making a legacy gift to the church, please contact Pastor Krysta, Pastor Deb, or Wendy Kamerling, Chair of the Endowment Committee.

Let’s Celebrate!

Sunday September 21, 2025 at the 10:45am service, we will gather in the Sanctuary to dedicate the refurbished Gethsemane Window and the restoration of our pipe organ. Please plan to join us as we give thanks to God for this successful project and all of those who made it possible!

On November 20, 1955, Lois and William R. Pate dedicated the window to WAUMC with the words: “DEDICATED TO THE HONOR AND GLORY OF GOD AND FOR THE INSPIRATION OF THOSE WHO WORSHIP HIM IN THIS CHURCH”  

Let us continue to honor and glorify God together!