Who Created Stained-Glass Windows at St. Ann's Church?

 By Diana Vice    

 As a child, this writer's grandmother, Lorraine Egan Hanthorn, would take her to church at St. Ann's Catholic Church each week, where she and many generations of her Irish family worshipped since the church was first built.  I was especially enchanted by the beautiful stained-glass windows, and as I grew older and more curious, I set out to find out about the origins of the windows. "Who was the artist behind such beauty?" I wondered.

One clue was found in the August 4, 1899, newspaper article from The Weekly Journal where a brief reference to the windows was made.

    "The interior of the edifice is strikingly beautiful. The richly stained-glass windows and the handsome altars were contributed by different members of the congregation. The walls and ceilings are done in oil and the leading colors of pale green and cream blend harmoniously. It is one of the finest pieces of decoration to be found in the city and is exquisite in its artistic effects. The woodwork is of oak and the pews are of the same material. The pews are nicely arranged and are comfortable. The galleries, the choir loft and everything in connection with the church are handsomely finished and nicely located. The church is equipped with a splendid Kimball organ operated by a water motor. The church is illuminated by incandescent lights, and they are arranged to give the best possible effect. The acoustic properties are excellent. Admirable taste has been used in furnishing the church and everything in it is new and bright and pretty."

Although we know that individual church members had financially sponsored the windows, the question of who actually created the artistic masterpieces still remains. The article gives credit to Henry J. Kessener, a local carpenter, as the contractor for the project, but he likely hired a sub-contractor to do the actual stained-glass work. The only local stained-glass artisan in Lafayette at that time was Walter T. Lockwood, a well-known art glass manufacturer from Chicago, so it is likely that he did the work at St. Ann's Church. 

Lockwood set up shop at 208 South Fourt Street, around the same time that St. Ann's Church was built. Lockwood had leased the plant that had just been vacated by the Echo Music Company where he shared the building with Lafayette Electrical Company.

208 S. Fourth Street

A November 2, 1904, Journal and Courier article, "W. T. Lockwood's Skill in Stained-Glass Work Is Rewarded," recorded that he had been awarded "one of the largest contracts of its kind ever let in this section of the state."  It reads, "In competition with contractors of San Francisco, Chicago, New York and St. Louis, Mr. Lockwood has secured the work for placing the stained-glass and the ornamental work in the new Congregational Church, which is to cost $75,000 and is now in course of construction in San Francisco. The windows will be exceedingly large and one of them is a figure of Christ in soft tones of amber and brown. Another handsome one will be "Christ Among the Doctors," in soft tones of olive, amber, and brown. The ornamental design will be opalescent. The entire decoration of the auditorium of the church has been designed by Mr. Lockwood and the landing of the contract for such a big church reflects highly on the artistic accomplishment he possesses. The contract price runs up for the decorations in the thousands and Mr. Lockwood will leave in a few weeks for California to superintend the installation of the windows and ornaments."

Another article from Lafayette Weekly Courier, dated April 28, 1905, reported that Lockwood had secured several lucrative contracts for art glass work for a large and beautiful residence in Hudson, Michigan. In addition, he was awarded four contracts for redecorating halls in various buildings in Hillsdale, Michigan.

(Please check back for photographs of the stained-glass windows and interior of St. Ann's Church.)