When vandalism struck Stanford Memorial Church in 2021, the damage extended far beyond broken glass. Several of the church’s historic stained glass windows—originally designed by J&R Lamb Studios in the early 1900s—were shattered by wine bottles thrown with enough force to penetrate multiple layers of plated glass and deform the lead structure.
For Connie and the team at Helios Art Glass, the project was not simply a repair—it was an exercise in museum-quality stained glass conservation, requiring technical precision, historical sensitivity, and an extraordinary level of patience.
Assessing the Damage
The affected window, known as the “Lilies of the Field,” is part of a rare and cohesive body of ecclesiastical stained glass, where all windows were designed by a single studio—an uncommon distinction in church architecture.
The vandalism caused:
- Breakage across three layers of glass, a defining feature of the church’s windows
- Structural damage to the lead came network
- Loss of original glass fragments, many of which were scattered or missing entirely
Unlike typical stained glass repair, this project required a full-scale architectural glass restoration approach.
A Giant Puzzle: The Conservation Process
Once the panels were removed and transported to the studio, the restoration process began with one of the most complex phases: reconstruction.
Every fragment that could be recovered was cataloged and analyzed. According to project collaborators, the process resembled assembling “a giant puzzle,” with each shard needing to be matched not only to its position in the design—but also to its correct layer within the multi-plated glass system.
The team’s workflow included:
- Sorting and identifying fragments by panel and layer
- Creating detailed rubbings to map cracks and missing areas
- Stabilizing surviving glass through careful lead came repair
- Reintroducing structural integrity through selective stained glass re-leading
In areas where glass was missing, the team employed a combination of:
- Stained glass replication/reproduction using historically accurate materials
- Custom color-matching to account for complex tones and translucency
- Resin infill techniques for extremely small losses
Matching the original glass was particularly challenging, as many pieces contained layered hues—such as amber-pink tones—that vary in opacity and light transmission.
Balancing Restoration and Preservation
A core principle of the project was stained glass preservation—retaining as much original material as possible. Rather than replacing entire sections, the team focused on conserving existing glass, even when fragmented, to maintain historical authenticity.
This approach reflects best practices in:
- Historic stained glass repair
- Religious art restoration
- Heritage glass preservation
Small interventions—such as adding minimal lead lines or stabilizing fractures—were preferred over full replacement whenever feasible.
Reinstallation and Return to Light
After months of meticulous work, the restored panels were reinstalled at the church. Scaffolding surrounded the structure as each piece was carefully returned to its original position, restoring both the visual continuity and spiritual atmosphere of the space.
The result was not a “new” window—but a faithful continuation of the original, where old and restored elements coexist seamlessly.
Why This Project Matters
The restoration of Stanford Memorial Church highlights the broader importance of architectural restoration specialists in preserving cultural landmarks. These windows have illuminated ceremonies, memorials, and daily life on campus for over a century, making their conservation essential to the building’s identity.
Projects like this demonstrate that stained glass restoration is not simply about aesthetics—it is about:
- Preserving craftsmanship from another era
- Maintaining the integrity of architectural history
- Ensuring that future generations experience these works as intended
Connie Levathes, Tom Lehnartz and Robin Conner (left to right) from Helios Art Glass reinstall a panel of stained glass at Stanford Memorial Church after the window was vandalized and then repaired over the previous months.