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STAINED
GLASS
WINDOWS
On July 7, 1950, Rev. Francis Czechowski
contracted Edward W. Hiemer & Company to "furnish and install" the stained glass
windows for the newly constructed Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Hiemer
& Company would supply ten "Side windows with figure groups and one Baptistry
window with figure group." The total cost, including "freight and
installation ... with memorial inscriptions" was $4,300. By today's
standards, $4,300 is not a significant amount of money. In 1950, that was a
major
expense for a small parish.
Eight of the church windows portray
events in the life of Christ found in the Gospels. These events
include: the Nativity, the Presentation, the Wedding in Cana, Christ Healing,
the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, the Emmaus Appearance and Pentecost.
The last two windows depict two
important Polish saints: St. John Kanty and the Apparition of the Blessed Virgin
Mary to St. Casimir. These windows honor the Polish heritage of the
Parish.
An additional window was commissioned
for the Baptistry, Christ Blessing Children. Today, the former Baptistry
is a Reconciliation room. This change was probably made in 1980 during
church renovations. At that time the Baptismal font was moved into the
body of the church and positioned in the alcove to the right of the sanctuary.
For students of stained glass, these
windows emphasize color with only the most necessary painting to indicate
drapery. Very little shading is used and the portrayal of the figures is
somewhat more symbolic than in a pictorial window. In this style the
figures quite often do not take up the full window but are contained in a
medallion shape occupying one-half of the total area while the rest of the
window is filled with ornamental pattern. All painted glass is fired so
the color is made permanent in the glass.
To view the stained
glass windows, click here.
HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY
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Renovations completed in 2002 included
the addition of a handicap ramp. It is easily accessible from the church parking lot
where there are two "handicap parking" spaces. Two
additional parking spaces, located in front of the garage, may also be used.
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The
handicap ramp allows those in wheel chairs or with other walking devices to
enter the church un-obstructed. The church doors are equipped with
electric door openers for ease of entry.
Inside the church, we
reserve an open area in front of the tabernacle for people in wheel chairs.
This location provides a clear view of the sanctuary. Ministers always bring Holy
Communion to anyone in this area.
We also have restroom facilities,
located very close through the hallway to the left of the tabernacle.
These facilities are handicap accessible and
barrier free.
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Handicap Ramp
(Page continues under construction)
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