1903 Stained Glass Window Reinstalled In Blue Springs United Methodist Church

By Jan Eloise MorrisThe United Methodist Church at Blue Springs recently completed a renovation project that included reinstalling a 122-year-old stained glass window. In late September of 2024, the United Methodist Church opened its doors to the Gage County Historical Society for a stop on their annual Stained Glass Window Tour, which has nine 1903 Memorial windows. The windows were the oldest on that day’s tour. After admiring the five 1880s stained glass windows as well as eight 1903 windows manufactured by the Muscatine Sash Company in Iowa, one of the tour group, Scott Rhen, noticed some severe deterioration in one of the south facing double memorial windows. The window leading had deteriorated and delicate glass pieces were turning under the weight of glass above. The whole window was in danger of collapsing onto itself.In 1877, the Evangelical Association built the original 32 x 50 foot building with a pulpit and altar to the north and a door to the south where the double window is placed. The church was known as the Ebenezer Evangelical Church. In 1888 the door was closed and an entry and belfry were constructed on the southeast side of the building. In 1903 the pulpit room was built to the west and a Sunday School room was added to the east over a small cellar that housed a new furnace. The original 1880s windows were reinstalled framing two new double Memorial Windows provided by individuals and organizations. A new double Memorial window was added on the east side of the school room. Most of the single stained glass Memorial windows were also installed that year. The church went through another major renovation in the late 1920s when the church was elevated and the full basement was installed. In 1946, the Evangelical Association consolidated with the United Brethren Church and the building served the Evangelical United Brethren congregation or as some will fondly remember - the EUB Church. In 1954, the Zion Evangelical Church, 5 miles east in Union Center, was closed and the 1903 addition in the Blue Springs Church was named the ‘Zion Room’ in memory of its country cousin. Pews from the Zion Church are in the room. In 1968 this Association consolidated with the Methodist Church to become the United Methodist Church. Sometime later, the glass window over the double church doors with its Evangelical inscription was covered and still rests quietly behind church walls.Shortly after the glass deterioration was discovered in September 2024, the congregation agreed to get estimates to repair the double window and to pursue a grant to pay for it. In October, members of the board met with Rod Scott, a 2nd generation artisan whose company, Architectural Glassarts, located in Roca, has restored stained glass in hundreds of buildings over the years. While other windows were in lesser need of repair, the congregation agreed to pursue a grant for the $14,000 repair of the south double window. The estimated cost of a new window of that size is $50,000.In December, an application was submitted to the Morris Estate Endowment Fund which is administered by the Gage County Foundation. Elwin (Fuzz) and Ruby Morris dedicated much of their lives to improving life in Blue Springs; operating a used car business, establishing a Keno parlor & restaurant and serving on local community boards including the Blue Springs Fire Department and the historic Blue Springs Cemetery. The Estate helped to establish the Morris Estate Endowment in the summer of 2024, intending to support worthwhile projects specifically in the Blue Springs & Wymore area. Recently, the new addition to the Blue Springs Cemetery was named the ‘Morris Addition’ in memory of Rudy’s years of service on the Board as well as their generous monetary donations toward its care and improvements.The Morris Estate graciously approved the grant in January and Architectural Glassarts removed the window in March. The window has gone through a delicate and time-consuming process toward restoration. In an ongoing effort to make improvements, another grant for a sprinkler system and sod was submitted to the Morris Estate in May and the congregation received a grant for the sprinkler system.

E Nebraska CASA Struggles With Funding Cuts And Lack Of Volunteers

Weekend Storms Leave Thousands Without Power

Related Articles

High Winds Fuel Multiple Wild Fires in SE Nebraska

Sen. Ricketts Makes the Case for War

City Offices Closed During Move

A Broken Wire Over Railroad Tracks Leaves City in the Dark