Welcome tothe Cathedral ofSt. Peterthe Apostle Catholic Church

THE RESTORATION PROCESS – As you will see in the pictures below of the sample window being repaired and restored, all of the Cathedral Stained Glass Windows are going through the same process. See the YouTube video clips below for more information on the removal process costing $740,000.

As you will see in the slide shows below, each window panel is carefully removed and transported back to the Conrad Schmitt Studios, Inc. in Wisconsin for the meticulous process that will bring the stained glass back to its original beauty.

After documentation via photography and a rubbing made directly in contact with the glass and lead, the window is disassembled, and the pieces cleaned and inspected. Broken pieces are glued or if needed, replicated with new glass that is cut to size, painted exactly like the original and fired for permanency.

Reinstalling Top Small Glass Panes and Frames

Repairing Stained Glass Window Frames

Sample Stained Glass Window Removal

Removal of Remaining Stained Glass Windows

The panels are then reassembled back to its original matrix with new lead cames. After the joints are soldered and weatherproof sealed, they’re cleaned and stabilized with new reinforcement bars. Then panels are transported back to the Cathedral for re-installation during the middle of November, 2011.

These newly restored panels will be installed into vented frames, which prevents the damaging build-up of heat and condensation between the stained glass windows and storm glass. The exterior protective storm glass will promote the longevity of the priceless stained glass, retaining the overall exterior beauty of the windows, highlighting the stained glass and the decorative wood frames, as well as the beautiful architecture of the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle.