HOT SPRINGS ¬– Over the past week, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Hot Springs has undergone some beautifying and protective work on their massive Masonic stainedglass window, which was originally installed in 1901, measuring 10 feet wide by 15 feet high.
“The plexiglass placed in the 1970s has weathered,” said St. Lukes Deacon Linda Valandra, “and we lose so much heat in the winter.”
To look through the stained-glass front of the church from the inside is quite a spectacular view yet with the protective covering the view has dulled with time.
Tracy and Brennan Wallach of Classic Glass, Ltd. from Fargo, N.D., are hoping to make a difference.
“First we have to remove the existing plexiglass, clean and repair all wood, paint the trim and then put in our prefab metal frames,” said Tracy. “We need to make sure they fit, make some adjustments and then install the glass.”
While he makes it seem like a long process, the two have made relatively short work of the project, which began on Monday, June 1, and was completed for church service Sunday morning.
The two have faced common South Dakota issues when working outside; rain, heat, and more rain but have persevered.
“We have tarps up for rain and for heat,” laughed Tracy.
Yet the new window coverings will certainly help with the interior heat and cold as they are insulated double-pained windows.
The cornerstone of St. Luke’s was laid in June 1894, and the building holds the honor of being the second oldest Episcopal Parish in Western South Dakota, second to Deadwood, founded in 1877.
ST. LUKE’S, page 12 By 1968 the church was boarded up, and services were held in the Parish Hall at 1915 Washington Street. But by 1975 the building was repaired and services began again in the historic church.
However, caring for such a historic building is ongoing.
“It is an undertaking to keep up,” said Valandra. “Yet the historic importance is significant, and we hope its significant to the community too.”
“There is something about the building, such a reverence,” said Valandra. “It just feels like home, it’s so peaceful.”
This project is phase one of four phases the church has planned to maintain and preserve the many stainedglass windows.
“We received donations from the congregation, The Westerners and from the Outside of Deadwood Grant, which all helped with this first phase, but we still need help to complete the other phases,” said Valandra.
“We have sought out many avenues of funding and will hopefully be applying for other grants, but many require matching funds, and it’s difficult to meet that match,” she said, “we try to be good custodians and care takers of the building and hope others would be willing to help out in any way.”
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church is accepting donations for this project. Mail donations to St. Likes Episcopal Church, 1915 Washington Ave, Hot Springs, SD 57747.