STAINED GLASS

COLORFUL MOUNTAINS: St. Patrick's stained glass window includes a large stylized cross. It mirrors the natural beauty of the area, including Mount Chief Joseph and a trace of Wallowa Lake. (The Observer/GARY FLETCHER).

ENTERPRISE

For years, members of St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in Enterprise thought the sanctuary should have a stained glass window.

And now, because of a broken window last summer, the vision has become reality.

St. Patrick's was built in 1960 with clear glass windows, but they were not without beauty.

Sunday after Sunday through the big south window loomed the majestic 9,600-foot Mount Chief Joseph.

When it came time to remove the storm windows from that 20-foot tall window in June, the only person willing to climb the ladder was John Patterson of Walla Walla. He was visiting his sister, Char Williams of Joseph.

In the process, a storm window was broken. On the spot, the congregation decided that the time had come to install a stained glass window.

Charter member Viola Kreizenbeck teamed up with Roxy Chesnut to head up a committee to pursue the window.

Chesnut, a Joseph artist, was asked to come up with a design. Members said they didn't want anything gaudy or ostentatious, but sort of simple, let's say "Wallowa Countyish."

After all, what was more beautiful than nature's design — the beauty of the landscape surrounding them.

So, Chesnut drew a sketch with a full-size watercolor wash. She brought it to the church and laid the paper out on the floor beneath the window. The people responded enthusiastically.

The design included a large stylized cross, and mirrored the natural beauty of the area, including Mount Chief Joseph with a hint of Wallowa Lake.

Chesnut then took the design to Jim Maier of Joseph who made the stained glass window.

"It's all your fault," John Patterson was told this Mother's Day when he was back in the county visiting his sister and their mother, Elizabeth.

When he attended church, in the place of the broken storm window was the beautiful new stained glass window spilling a cascade of colors into the sanctuary through its translucent panes.

The new picture window will be dedicated the evening of June 19 by Bishop William Gregg of the Eastern Oregon Archdiocese in The Dalles.