Sacred Sites Open House Tour: Grace Church Brooklyn Heights

The stained glass windows of Grace Church Brooklyn Heights are especially notable for their beauty, history and diversity of workmanship in both the American and European styles. The three Tiffany Windows receive the most attention, but there are also world class installations by several of the most revered stained glass manufacturers to ever operate in Britain and on the continent of Europe.

The American style, in which curves in the glass and layered glass provide depth and detail may first draw the viewers’ attention, however, the skill and beauty of the painted detail on the European windows is of exceptional quality. The windows have a place in American history as well. Tiffany asked for the temporary return of the 'Sermon on the Mount' window for display in the world's fair. The rose window at the back is a replacement for an earlier window that was destroyed by a munitions explosion during the First World War.

'The Ascension' window was donated by a young financier just before he lost his fortune in one of the greatest financial catastrophes in American history. The windows include several that are thought to be of local manufacture as well, one of which was crafted by a Grace Church parishioner, while another was provided by the church sextant (janitor) who must have saved for decades to make the donation. The Grace Church windows each tell the stories of the biblical events that they portray and of the people whose faith and love of beauty led them to make the large economic donations that were necessary to make the windows possible.

Two special, pre-booked guided tours highlighting the stained glass windows will be offered.

Space is limited and advance registration is suggested.