AN ARMY OF LIFTS

                Over the last several weeks the Army of Lifts has slowly moved around the church. Progress is slow but coming along. The North side of the church facing St. Louis Place is finished with no serious problems found.

                However, the Apse of the church with the windows that depict the life of St. Louis is another story. There is a lot of damage that needs to be repaired in addition to painting the wood frames. There was a great deal of rotted wood on the windows that needed to be replaced. The acrylic protecting the stained glass windows was cracked and needed to be replaced as well. The acrylic is being replaced with glass on all seven windows so we will not have to deal with further deterioration in the near future. Also the stained glass windows are held in place by steel bars. On two of the windows the steel bars were completely rusted through.

                To say the least the project continues to grow as does its price tag. The estimate for the painting of the windows was $90,000 excluding carpentry work and other unforeseeable issues. The cost of replacing the acrylic increased the cost another $30,000. So far, the carpentry work and re-fabrication of the steel bars has added another $8,160.

                All the work that is being done is very necessary if we are to protect the integrity of the beautiful windows which are irreplaceable. A display of the work being done on the windows will be set up in church beginning next weekend.

                This year the Annual Preservation Fund Drive will go toward the preservation of our beautiful stained glass windows. The Preservation Fund Drive is now getting underway and your continued support for the preservation of our beautiful historic church will be greatly appreciated.