Charlottesville, VA

March 2025

About the Church

Ivy Creek United Methodist Church has been a cornerstone of the Charlottesville community for over two centuries. Known for its deep commitment to discipleship and community service, the church’s sanctuary has served as a place of refuge and worship since the early 19th century. As a vital, historic congregation, Ivy Creek continues to honor its 200-year legacy by maintaining its sacred spaces and ensuring its architecture remains a beacon of faith for future generations.

Our Work

Our team performed a comprehensive restoration and preservation project on seven of the church’s windows. The work was designed to address structural vulnerabilities while meticulously preserving the historical aesthetic of the sanctuary.

Window Restoration and Stabilization To restore the integrity of the leaded glass, we performed a series of technical repairs:

• Re-cementing: Each window was re-cemented to strengthen the panels and provide a weatherproof seal against air and water infiltration.
• Flattening and Repair: Bulged sections of glass were carefully reduced to their original profile, and cracked pieces were stabilized as necessary to ensure long-term durability.
• Structural Bracing: We added support braces to the window frames where structural reinforcement was required to prevent future sagging or movement.

Architectural Integration A key focus of this project was ensuring that all protective measures remained sympathetic to the church’s architecture.

• Custom Glazing Bars: When additional structural bars were required, they were custom-bent to follow the primary lines of the window framing. This technique ensures that the support system is visually integrated with the original design.
• Millwork Refurbishment: All surrounding millwork was repainted, providing a clean, refreshed finish that complements the newly restored glass.

Klear-flo Protective Covering To safeguard the craftsmanship for years to come, we installed our exclusive Klear-flo protective covering system. Utilizing 1/4-inch high-grade acrylic, this system provides a durable, impact-resistant shield that protects the stained glass from environmental damage while remaining nearly invisible to the eye.

Resource

Ivy Creek United Methodist Church Official Website: ivycreekumc.org