Architect: RDG Planning & Design, Des Moines, Iowa; Randy Milbrath, AIA
Liturgical Design Consultant: Kenneth J. Griesemer & Associates, Albuquerque, New Mexico
St. Michael ChapelBlessed Sacrament Chapel
9 windows totaling approximately 300 square feet
The octagonal St. Michael Chapel is first glimpsed through trees and lawn by passersby along a busy city street. Whether seen from a distance or up close from inside, regardless of time or season, its stained glass is always changing and twinkling. Even when viewed from the street, reflective German opal glass shimmers and glows, welcoming visitors throughout day and night. Once in the gathering area, the stained glass beckons from the end of a long corridor. Upon finally entering the chapel, the stained glass enfolds worshipers with heraldic bands of red glass that flows from window to window.
The glass palette adds ever-changing interest in the Chapel during day and night, and throughout the seasons. Atmospheric, abstract imagery rises like incense, imparting a prayerful feeling of quiet and sanctuary. The stained glass functions as a meditative backdrop surrounding the Chapel’s main focus, its Tabernacle.
Deeper, saturated color in lower sections represents worldly, physical existence while providing a sense of intimacy and separation within. The gradual upward transition into palest, finally colorless glass symbolizes God and a higher spiritual plane that also anticipates the clear glazing in the cupola above. Lighter glasses also add unexpected views to landscape and sky where worshipers participate in the creative process by finding personal meaning in the abstract imagery.
The two smallest windows contain more representational imagery. The Immaculate Heart Window acknowledges the church’s namesake from one side of the chapel entrance. “St. Michael’s Sword”, commemorates the patron saint of the chapel itself from the other side. Embedded with prisms, flames from both windows arch over the entrance and departing worshipers.
During the design phase, some of the more literal-minded committee members understood the need for a quiet non-representational backdrop to the featured tabernacle, but still desired more representational footholds into the stained glass. As a result, a number of representational details can be discovered that include angels, butterflies, wheat, grapes, clouds, heraldic banners, dove, etc. Prisms sparkle with “God’s gifts” and radiate tiny rainbows on sunny days.
Hard to photograph, but equally hard to miss in person is the kaleidoscopic nature of the St. Michael Chapel. Because of its octagonal shape and intimate scale, it is possible to see through two or more windows at once. At sunrise and sunset light and color project through one window onto another window and back out the other side. The stained glass palette was selected to insure interest and animation in all lighting conditions, but this configuration takes that concept to a whole new level.
OTHERS COMMENT:
Our parish building committee reviewed several websites of art glass. The work of Jeff Smith, Architectural Stained Glass, Inc., caught our attention immediately. The work is creative, bold yet subtle, fresh and very appealing to the eye. From the moment we met Jeff, we discovered his passion for his work. He listened to the committee’s thoughts and ideas while taking into consideration the existing space, the new chapel, and the landscape.
After seeing Jeff’s first renderings, there was no doubt we had made the right decision. He expanded upon our comments, responded to the environment and created a design that exceeded all expectations. As the project continued he kept in constant contact, and was able to complete his work under an unusually tight timeline.
We are so pleased with the beautiful windows. They are exceptional in craftsmanship and masterfully done with careful attention to detail. The stained glass draws us into deeper prayer and reflection. The chapel and its atmosphere is truly created by the wonderful glass . . . lots of compliments! Just what we wanted! We couldn’t be happier!
Rev. Stephen Orr, Pastor, Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Parish, Ankeny, Iowa
It was great to see the finished chapel (Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart, Ankeny, Iowa)! The space is great and the windows work really well there. They are especially powerful at night from the outside. I also like the mix of transparent and opaque glass to give the windows life during the nighttime. Another nice nighttime effect is the cast of colored light onto the surrounding walls and ground surface. I saw the chapel first in the dark, so those impressions have stuck with me!
From the inside during the daytime, the colors are bright, crisp, and uplifting. There is a perfect mix of transparent and opaque glasses to shield the traffic but still give a sense of the outside. The Sacred Heart and other subtle imagery have been well received.
Fr. Steve mentioned how grateful they are for my recommendation to work with you on the glass. They are very happy with the end result, and have received many favorable comments from the community. Well done! Way to go, Jeff!!
Ken Griessemer, Liturgical Design Consultant, Kenneth J. Griesemer & Associates, Albuquerque, NM
Our parish building committee reviewed several websites of art glass. The work of Jeff Smith, Architectural Stained Glass, Inc., caught our attention immediately. The work is creative, bold yet subtle, fresh and very appealing to the eye. From the moment we met Jeff, we discovered his passion for his work. He listened to the committee’s thoughts and ideas while taking into consideration the existing space, the new chapel, and the landscape.
After seeing Jeff’s first renderings, there was no doubt we had made the right decision. He expanded upon our comments, responded to the environment and created a design that exceeded all expectations. As the project continued he kept in constant contact, and was able to complete his work under an unusually tight timeline.
We are so pleased with the beautiful windows. They are exceptional in craftsmanship and masterfully done with careful attention to detail. The stained glass draws us into deeper prayer and reflection. The chapel and its atmosphere is truly created by the wonderful glass . . . lots of compliments! Just what we wanted! We couldn’t be happier!
Rev. Stephen Orr, Pastor, Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Parish, Ankeny, Iowa
Materials: French, German and Polish mouthblown glass; domestic rolled glass; Austrian lead-crystal prisms; lead; solder