Los Angeles, CA
October 2025
Repair and Protective Coverings, Onsite
About the Church
St. James in-the-City Episcopal Church has been a part of the Los Angeles community for more than a century. Located in the heart of the city, the church is known for its historic architecture, worship, music, and beautiful stained glass windows.
Our Work
Willet Studios completed a comprehensive preservation project involving 37 stained glass windows at St. James in-the-City Episcopal Church. The project included new protective coverings, structural repairs, ventilator work, millwork restoration, and specialized historic restoration of several windows.
Klear-Flo® Protective Coverings
All 37 windows received protection using the Klear-Flo® protective covering system.
The stained glass windows were re-cemented on their exterior surfaces as part of the preparation process. Protective coverings were also installed within the traceries, providing additional protection for the intricate portions of the windows.
The Klear-Flo® system utilized 1/4-inch acrylic, creating an additional protective barrier between the stained glass and the elements.
On 10 windows, existing protective coverings were removed and replaced with new coverings.
Special attention was given to the church’s ventilators. Twelve ventilators received protective coverings that allowed them to remain operational, maintaining their intended function while providing protection for the stained glass.
Structural Repairs
A variety of structural repairs were completed throughout the window collection.
The work included:
- Reducing bulged sections on 13 windows
- Installing new steel structural support braces on 13 windows
- Sealing ventilators shut on eight windows
- Repainting millwork with rust-inhibiting paint on 14 windows
These repairs helped improve the stability and longevity of the windows while addressing areas of deterioration and movement.
Stained Glass Repairs
Additional repairs were completed to the stained glass itself.
On one window, two painted glass pieces in the window border were replaced to address damaged glass while preserving the surrounding artwork.
Two windows required more extensive work involving their ventilators. Sections of stained glass were carefully removed from the ventilator areas, and temporary plywood was installed in the openings while the ventilators were removed for a program of historic restoration.
Historic Window Restoration
One window underwent a complete historic restoration at the Willet Studios facility.
The stained glass window was carefully removed from the job site and transported to the studio for restoration. While the work was underway, a temporary transparency over acrylic was installed in the vacated opening to protect the church and maintain the appearance of the window.
Following completion of the restoration, the window was transported back to the church and reinstalled in its original opening, where it received a new protective covering.
Through comprehensive structural repairs, specialized stained glass conservation, ventilator restoration, millwork work, and the installation of Klear-Flo® protective coverings, Willet Studios helped preserve the 37 stained glass windows at St. James in-the-City Episcopal Church for future generations.
Resource
St. James in-the-City Episcopal Church: stjla.org
