Last Friday, we spent the day performing light restoration on the stained glass window at the Manakin Church, just west of Richmond, Virginia. The church was built in 1895 for $129.00, using mostly materials from the previous church that burned.
The only stained glass window, the “Parable of the Sower” depicts the sower scattering seed, a symbol of the Word of God. Some seed has fallen along the wayside and is being devoured by birds, while another seed has fallen on stony ground where it will die. The seed that fell on fertile soil will flourish, symbolizing the virtuous life.
When I first started my career in stained glass, it was very difficult obtaining commissions. I ended up performing a lot of restoration work, mostly on churches in impoverished areas that were heavily damaged.
It was hard, dusty work but a wonderful learning experience.