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Turlock Covenant Church adds stained glass art to historic sanctuary space
Stained Glass 1
Senior Pastor of Turlock Covenant Church Steve Carlson poses next to the churchs newest addition, a custom stained glass piece, on display in the lobby where the focus is on creating a connection between the new glass and the historical stained glass in the sanctuary.

 

The sunlight that is cast on Turlock Covenant Church sanctuary is unique in that it is reflected through vast stained glass windows dating back to 1928 when the church was built. Now, the church also has a more recent custom stained glass piece on display in the sanctuary lobby.

 

Precipitated by the recent remodel of the lobby, leaders of the Turlock Covenant Church decided that a recently blank wall would need to be decorated. 

 

"We considered what we could put in this space that would accurately reflect who we are," said Senior Pastor Steve Carlson.

 

As the first thing worshipers see upon entering the church, the leaders considered displaying a painting or the Covenant faith logo before settling upon the idea of creating a custom stained glass piece to warm up the space.

 

"This piece creates a flow between the lobby and the sanctuary which is filled with stained glass and it gives the sense that we are here to worship God," said Carlson. "The glass adds to the sense of the glory of the majesty of God and is very much already a part of the atmosphere and ambiance of the building."

 

The stained glass features of the Covenant church have become a hallmark of the facility, which has drawn many brides to have their wedding in the historical and spacious sanctuary. 

 

The custom piece on display in the lobby was created by Legacy Glass, a company in Menlo Park that repairs and creates stained glass windows. After a representative came to the church to find inspiration from the existing windows, a new piece was created in the same color scheme and incorporates a Bible, cross, and the bread and wine of the communion.

 

Two local companies, Kiwi Woodworks and Brite Electric, Inc. assisted in the framing and lighting of the stained glass piece to give it the effect of natural light shining through.

 

The ability of the stained glass to reflect light was a large reason that the church settled on the artistic piece because it also serves as a metaphor for the members to leave the church and be a light unto the world.

 

 "This is really just a building, but the church gathers here to be encouraged and to be sent into the world. So, in a sense the idea of light here in this space is very important," said Carlson.