Tough glass shields church windows

Heritage glass conservator Olaf Wehr-Candler has been at work protecting the windows of St Paul's Memorial Church at Putiki.

St Paul's Memorial Church Restoration Trust chairwoman Huia Kirk said it was fortuitous the heritage glass conservator was working on the Wanganui Collegiate Chapel windows when the trust heard about him.

The Katene/Scott Memorial stained glass window on the north-eastern side of the building was bulging, Miss Kirk said, and fixing it was the first specialist task for Mr Wehr-Candler.

At that time, he voiced his concern that all the church windows would require work as soon as possible.

Mr Wehr-Candler was on the job last weekend and said it was a rare occasion when the original glass was intact. He had only to install clear, toughened glass over the top and secure it in place with stainless steel brackets.

Wire mesh had been placed over the original windows to protect them from stone-throwing children.

Now the 6mm toughened glass, which has the same strength as a 60mm thickness of normal glass, will replace the mesh.

The clear glass also meant the sandblasted windows would not be obscured from the interior, Mr Wehr-Candler said.

Miss Kirk said Te Ati Hau Trust had granted the trust $10,000 for the restoration of the carving, tukutuku and kowhaiwhai panels but, after a visit to the church, it was agreed some of the money could be used for the window conservation.

The trust had also been successful with a $10,000 grant from the Wellington Diocese Te Upoko o Te Ika Trust.

An engineer's report found the building was sound but the chancel, where it connected to the main building, required work to stop rain getting in.