Michael James
The Drumheller Mail
Big plans are in the works for the Craigmyle Historic Church.
Should all go well, the Craigmyle Historic Society will begin the restoration of one of the most iconic parts of the building; the remarkable stained glass windows.
“We need to repair some windows and replace some others. We’ll work with the glass that is good, but there is a lot that has to be replaced,” said Bev Bergman, a member of the Historic Society. “It’s a big job, there are quite a few big windows in the church.”
To achieve that goal, the church is looking for someone who is experienced in window restoration.
“It’s hard to find resource people and if we find someone, they have to be approved by Alberta Historic Resources,” said Bergman.
So far, the Historic Society has two quotes for the project; one for $25,000 to splice in new materials and another for $72,000 to completely repair the windows and frames.
The work is something that needs to be done, but the Historic Society is now asking at what cost.
“We’ll have to do this one way or another. Because we are a historic resource, we have to comply with Alberta Historic Resources,” said Bergman. “We could handle the lesser amount, but not the higher one. Plus, I feel uncomfortable spending $72,000.”
The windows have been in the church for the entirety of its nearly 100 year history. According to the Alberta Historic Resources Foundation, the windows are unique and a hallmark of Methodist architecture.
The Historic Society is hoping anyone who can point them to someone who could restore the windows and will come forward. Otherwise, the windows, which have graced the church for so long will only get worse.
Bergman can be contacted at 403-665-2492.
“If we don’t do anything, they (the windows) will continue to deteriorate and the more they do, the bigger the project is,” said Bergman. “We don’t know yet what work needs to be done on the frames themselves.”
