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Stained glass windows are tribute to families and church
By LINDA M. LINONIS
AUSTINTOWN
An effort of three families and the church family at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church resulted in two new stained-glass windows highlighting the sanctuary.
The windows were donated in memory of the late Charlotte Britton by her daughter, Pam Copp, and granddaughter, Lyndsay Leybold, who is president of church council; the late Patricia Eberth by her husband, Richard “Rich” Eberth Sr.; and the late Bill Lippiatt by his wife, Pat Lippiatt.
The families and a memorial fund at the church made the windows possible.
Pat Lippiatt said a coincidence played a role in how the windows came to be.
“We had two portable air conditioners that needed to be upgraded, and that left two holes,” she said.
The sanctuary walls have myriad small stained-glass windows.
During the Christmas season, Lippiatt said vigil lights are placed in each one, making for a stunning appearance.
Lippiat, who serves on the church council, suggested that the former AC spots be replaced with stained-glass windows.
Lippiatt created the design for the two windows.
One showcases wheat, which relates to communion, and the other, grapes, which allude to wine.
“I’ve done crafts for some time. Art is an interest of mine but I don’t have any formal training,” she said.
As for the designs, Lippiatt said she “prayed about it and thought what to do.”
In the end, she opted for simple, straighforward designs.
“That’s what I went with,” she said.
The two new windows are on the front wall of the church at 162 S. Raccoon Road.
The windows will be dedicated during a special service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday with Pastor Barbara Bartholomew, interim pastor, officiating.
She said there will be special music by the choir.
“The windows are reflective of the beliefs of the congregation,” she said. The wheat “relates to the bread of life, communion.”
“I hope the windows, which also let in more light, motivate people to ponder the meaning of communion and Christ’s grace,” Pastor Bartholomew said.
Lippiatt said she shied away from “traditional designs.”
“I wanted to do something more contemporary,” she said. “Since communion is part of the service, it seemed the right way to go.”
The stained-glass window depicts a shaft of wheat in a gold tone with a light purple border.
The other stained-glass window features a purple grape bunch with green leaves in the center, also bordered in light purple.
The windows were crafted by Diehl’s Art Glass Studio and Supply in Youngstown.
Lippiatt said she wanted to “contribute to the church.” That was part of her motivation in addition to honoring her late husband.
Copp said her mother, the late Charlotte Britton, was a member of the church from 1960 and was active in the ladies circles and taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school.
“I thought the windows were a wonderful way to remember her,” Copp said.
Leybold, a member since birth, said she is the fifth generation of the family to belong.
“My great-great-great grandparents helped build the church,” she said.
“The windows capture the meaning of communion,” Leybold said.
She echoed her mother’s comment that they are beautiful additions to the sanctuary.
Eberth, a 50-year member, said his late wife, Patty, loved the church and he wanted to “do something in her memory.”
He also noted that the late Bill Lippiatt was a good friend and he also knew the late Charlotte Britton.
“It’s a nice way to remember people dear to me,” he said.
Eberth constructed the oak frames for the stained-glass windows out of wood from old church pews.
Each window measures about 55 inches high and 30 inches wide.
He said his father was a carpenter and he is an industrial engineer.
“We built a lot of things,” Eberth said.
Jonathan Culp, a member since 1969, said he was “the helper” in the installation.
“The windows add a lot to the sanctuary,” he said.
Lippiatt said the church was founded in 1872 and was in downtown Youngstown. The church at its present location was built in the late 1950s. The church has a membership of about 145 families. Church services are at 9:30 a.m. Sundays with Sunday school at 10:30. A midweek Bible study is at 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays.