Many of the historic stained-glass windows of First Church DeLand, originally built in 1883, are in urgent need of repairs. An expert recently found many windows must be fixed immediately or the integrity of the windows could fail. (Learn more about the project below.)
100% of your donation to "Stained Glass Donations (022B)" fund will go to restore the stained glass.
Through generous donations, the church was able to hire stained-glass expert Bob Froyen in May 2024 to restore the window in most critical danger.
The stunning window measures 20 feet high and 8 feet wide and depicts the Ascension of Jesus with an angel on each side.
Froyen replaced rotten wood in the window frame, repaired the reinforcement bars for strength, and more.
The Ascension window and many others were created by noted stained glass artist Joseph V. Llorens Sr. (1890-1984) and added in the1920s. Froyen, who made the recent repairs, worked with Llorens' descendants and now owns Llorens Stained Glass Studios in Georgia.
The Ascension window is an original design and a rarity in that Llorens signed the treasured work of art.
Lead Pastor Mark Bitner told the congregation about the need for the critical repairs on Palm Sunday. Within days, parishioners donated $39,000, but the church needs $94,500 to restore all 53 windows.
Please help us preserve these priceless windows for generations to come!
Check out the before and after restoration!
