Pocono News Section

Stained Glass Sale Provokes Questions

Stained Glass Sale Provokes Questions - Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 11:16PM EST

BROCKTON, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY- Mass hasn't been said at Saint Bartholomew Parish since July. The church appears intact even though it's no longer open. Parishioners in the area recently learned the church's valuable and historic stained glass windows are for sale, as listed on a Philadelphia restoration company's website. All of the church's windows appear on the website that lists dimensions and a price tag. Tallying all of Saint Bartholomew's windows, the cost approaches $100,000. St. Bart's isn't alone.
Eyewitness News has learned a handful of shuttered churches across Schuylkill County and one in Carbon County have surrendered their stained glass. The company, Beyer Studio, restores the glass and aids in the transaction. The diocese owns the material inside the churches, including the windows. A message left with the Diocese of Allentown for comment was not returned.

Some parishioners told us donated windows should be returned to the people who purchased them. Given the age of some of the church buildings, a sources says finding the rightful owner could prove difficult given the age of some churches. But Norman Rang said he believes St. Bart's parishioners and window donors should "have the right of first refusal."

A diocesan worker speaking on the condition of anonymity said when artifacts are donated, they agree to hold harmless the church in the event of a situation such as a closure.