Southern Nebraska Register
New windows were installed Oct. 4 at St. Ann Parish in Doniphan.
The parish was established in 1888, but the current church was built in 1967. The windows – which were simple, colored shapes – had begun to age and crack, and were not energy efficient.
After getting quotes, the parish decided to get new windows, rather than just replacing the broken colored glass.
The parish could have chosen plain energy efficient windows “which would have looked just fine in the church,” said secretary Christine Quist.
“However, the stained glass windows have just added extra beauty to our church.” She added that the saints and artwork chosen for the windows – and the decisions behind the choices – just added extra meaning to the new windows.
Participation was enthusiastic. The fundraising project was announced to the parish in March 2022.
“By April 2022, we had raised all the money to put nine new stained-glass windows in,” said Quist.
The windows, designed and installed by Kruse Stained Glass in Hartington, are now in place. There are three windows with artwork of the cross, and six windows of saints: St. Ann, St. Joachim, St. John Vianney, St. Scholastica, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Joseph holding baby Jesus.
Eight of the windows were donated by individuals, in memory of or in honor of someone. The St. Ann window was chosen first, as patroness of the parish. The second window selected was St. Joachim, her husband.
The St. Scholastica window honors all CCD and CYO teachers and students, as St. Scholastica is the patron saint of education. The window depicting St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests, was chosen in memory of Father Ramon Decaen, a former pastor of St. Ann who died in 2021, and in honor of all the priests who have served St. Ann Parish.
The ninth window, depicting St. Joseph and the Child Jesus, was donated by a group of donors, including the Knights of Columbus of the parish.
Father David Oldham, pastor since June 2022, was quick to point out that the whole project was developed before he came to the parish. However, he has been grateful to watch the smooth installation – which took place in one day – and the beauty of the new windows.
“I thank all of the parishioners involved in this project, giving greater honor and glory to God!” he said.
Courtesy photos
