Looking into the city's past

The St. John's Episcopal holds a stained-glass story of Youngstown's past.
By SARAH WEBER
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- There are plenty of overlooked historical treasures scattered throughout Youngstown -- just ask the young historians of History Kids.
History Kids, a children's program, was resurrected this year by Keith Mann, education specialist at the Youngstown Historical Center on Wood Street.
As part of the summer program, area children have the chance to tour several Youngstown landmarks. They started Wednesday morning with St. John's Episcopal Church.
The church has stood on Wick Avenue for 106 years. The structural style is medieval, featuring small stained-glass windows, a squat, sturdy tower and short strong columns on the interior. Mann explained to the children that Medieval Europe was a violent place, and churches were often used as fortresses.
He then directed the children's attention to the largest window in the church on the west end of the building. The window was installed in 1901 and was created by famous turn-of-the-century artist and designer Lewis Comfort Tiffany.
Then the group went inside to see the real reason this church is so special.
Interior
The Connick Windows are a series of 10 circular stained-glass windows that depict the stages of steel manufacturing. Mann explained to the children that in old Europe, few people could read, so stained-glass windows allowed them to see the stories of the Bible. The Connick Windows tell the story of Youngstown's industrial past.
The first window shows a miner digging for iron ore. In the second window, iron ore is shown being transported to Youngstown on a boat. The third window shows a coal miner digging coal for the furnace in the factory and the fourth window shows the coal being transported to the factory on a boat.
The fifth window shows molten iron ore being poured, and the sixth window shows the ore being tested for quality. The seventh window shows the steel being molded into sheets. The eighth window shows an architect designing the building where the steel will be used.
The ninth shows several workers and factory owners seated at a table in the act of collective bargaining. Finally, the last window shows a man putting rivets into a skyscraper's steel beams.
The Connick Windows date back to 1955. Mann said that before the windows were installed there were probably plain windows filling the spaces. The windows really are a hidden treasure because they can only be seen from the inside the church. On the outside of the church, the windows are covered for their protection, Mann said.
Children's reactions
For Gabrielle Vargo, 9, of Campbell, the newest addition to the church was her favorite. "The Children's Window" was installed in 2005 and depicts children playing in a nature scene.
"It was really neat," Gabrielle said when asked if she enjoyed learning about the church.
Caroline Scarvel, 8, of Erie, Pa., who is visiting her grandmother in Youngstown, said her favorite window was one depicting angels.
After the tour, the group headed back to the museum to learn more about Youngstown's steel industry. As an activity, they used shoe boxes, paper-towel rolls and cotton to make their own steel plants.
The group will visit the Mahoning County Courthouse on Market Street today and St. Columba Cathedral on Wood Street Friday to finish the program.
The History Kids is open to children ages 8 to 12. For more information, call Mann at the Youngstown Historical Center at (330) 743-5934.