Holy Family Parish Invites the Community to Celebrate Historical Stained Glass Windows

HOLY FAMILY PARISH
LITTLE FALLS, NY
CONTACT: Peggy Romano
[email protected]
763 E. Main St. | Little Falls, NY 13365
(315) 717-3012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                    September25, 2024

Holy Family Parish in Little Falls, NY, invites the community
to celebrate historical stained glass windows

Little Falls, NY— Holy Family Parish is pleased to invite the community to experience and celebrate the beauty of the parish’s historical and priceless stained glass windows at a special debut event Oct. 27.

The 22 windows, from Birmingham England, were installed in 1915 and depict a story about the life of Christ.

The event takes place from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27 at Holy Family Parish located at 763 E. Main St. in Little Falls, NY 13365. Guests will enjoy self-guided audio tours to accompany each stained glass window or may follow along with a companion book. Light refreshments by the Canal Side Inn will also be served.

The event is free and open to the public, but RSVP is required.  Visit https://holyfamilyparishstainedglasswindows.eventbrite.com or call (315) 717-3012 to RSVP.

This project is made possible by the UpMobility Foundation.

History of Holy Family Parish and the Historical Windows
In the early 1870s, the population of Little Falls had grown to nearly 6,000 people, most of whom were of English and Irish parentage. By 1874, Irish Catholics became mill owners, prosperous merchants, educators, and professionals, such as doctors and lawyers. They petitioned the Bishop when it came time to design and build a new place of worship. These parishioners were very generous. The ordinary working people, those toiling in the mills and factories, also pledged small amounts of money, and, in many instances, more than they could afford. What they could not offer in monetary donations, they could provide in labor-digging and preparing the ground for the foundation.

The present church edifice, built in the Gothic style, was begun in 1874. The stone used in construction was mined from local rock quarries. The laying of the cornerstone took place on Sunday, May 19, 1878, and the first Mass took place on Christmas Day 1879. In September 1900, the current high altar was installed. It is constructed of the finest Italian marble and Mexican onyx. The original church building was then completed with a bell tower in 1901. This bell tower and steeple extends to a height of 185 feet, complete with a massive gilded cross.

In 1902, it was announced that the new stations of the cross were to be placed in the church. The list of donors was extensive. The three-dimensional figures, located between the stained

glass windows are of stone composition. Each station weighs 350 pounds. The cost of each station at that time was $100.

During the early 1900s, major renovations were made to Saint Mary’s Church. For the stained glass phase of this restoration project, Saint Mary’s turned to the world’s premier stained glass designers and artisans John Hardman & Company of Birmingham England. The windows were modeled after the English style of the fourteenth century.

Each of these magnificent windows tells a story about an episode in the life of Jesus Christ. Looking at each window, and understanding the story depicted in its stained glass, helps us to see how windows served as “Biblical teaching tools” during the Medieval Period.
You may be listening or reading a summary of each window. Note the biblical theology as it is intertwined with stories regarding the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

About Holy Family Parish:
Holy Family Parish is dedicated to creating an environment for every person to grow in faith through prayer, lifelong learning, service, discipleship, and pastoral support. For additional information, visit www.holyfamilylittlefalls.org.


###