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- Historic First United Methodist Church seeks public donations for window restoration.
- A rock damaged one stained glass window, prompting a restoration project starting next year.
- The $125,000 project aims to restore 31 windows, with half the funds raised.
SALT LAKE CITY — A historic church in Salt Lake City is asking for the public's help in restoring its stained glass windows. It comes after a rock was thrown through one of its windows in February.
Five sections of stained glass windows paint the First United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City.
"The building was built in 1906. They're original to the building, and so they're a very important part of not only our worship but being able to have a place of peace and sanctity," said Mike Green, the church's chairman of the trustees.
While there is never a good time for vandalism, in this case, it did lead to a good outcome. It launched the much-needed project to restore the historical stained glass. The work is scheduled to start at the top of the new year.
Working from the inside out, the restoration project includes cleaning up the windows, helping preserve the lead, and sprucing up the woodwork around the windows.
The restoration project will also make the artwork stronger. The church will put up quarter-inch-thick acrylic layer, which will help protect the outside of windows.
In total, this project will take care of 31 windows.
"(It) amplifies the importance of the culture of who we are as a people in Salt Lake, and in Utah, to be able to say these represent our values," said Green.
Over the last year, Green said churchgoers have been working to fundraise. The total project runs about $125,000.
So far, he said they have about half that raised, and the church is making a final push to ask for help restoring history.
People wanting to donate can do so online* by selecting "trustees" on the drop-down menu.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
