An Old Window Gets A New Life 
By Larry L. Winckles
The window’s journey to the Arbor Church chapel began as the renovation project (Re:New) was drawing to a close in late 2024. Consideration was being given to additional projects not in the original scope of work, including a patio outside the Arbor Café and remodeling the chapel to make it more attractive for smaller weddings and funerals. In early 2025 these ideas began to crystallize and plans were formed.
Executive Pastor Johnny Maguire’s original idea was to procure four stained-glass windows and install them on the sides of the chapel with rear illumination to mimic natural light. His search on Facebook Marketplace led him to several listings that pointed toward a link to an online auction for stained-glass windows in the original 1894 First United Brethren in Christ Church in Montpelier, Ohio, a building that was soon to be demolished. 
On the final day of the auction, November 5, 2025, about two hours before its close, Johnny discovered that not only were individual windows available, but also large multi-paneled window settings—one of which seemed to be a perfect fit for the front of the chapel where the rear-screen projection had been. He placed a bid of $100 and was immediately outbid. After a brief back-and-forth, the other party bid $250; Johnny countered with $260, the other party dropped out, and the 130-year-old window was secured.
Johnny knew that help would be needed in removing the 14 windowpanes and transporting them back to Spring Arbor. He also knew that someone with experience in working with stained-glass was needed to assist with the project. In asking around, Donelda Clevenger mentioned that Jan Yeaman had such experience. So, the week after the auction, a team including Johnny Maguire, Wayne Miller, Carlos Rivera, and Jan Yeaman traveled to Montpelier to assess the condition of the window setting and to plan for its removal. Through Jan the team learned that to move the window panels safely they needed to be transported upright and layered between foam sheeting. Removal took place during the first week of December with a crew organized and supervised by Joe Cassell. While minimal breakage occurred during the transport, the upper circular “rose” window required a complete rebuild—a task that Jan and her team undertook alongside the cleaning and repair of the other panels.

A Community of Craftsmanship
The restoration began in earnest over the 2025 Christmas break. Wayne Miller suggested that Charlie Bunnell had the necessary expertise to craft the new framing for the windows. Whereas the windows were originally framed in oak, Charlie suggested that walnut would be more fitting for the chapel. However, this walnut option seemed cost prohibitive. When Todd Holton learned of the project, he generously donated walnut wood he had in storage to the cause.
Work accelerated during the 2025 Christmas holidays and continued into the first three months of 2026: Charlie Bunnell planned and fabricated the walnut trim, while Johnny Maguire, Carlos Rivera, and Ryan Holbrook worked on constructing the underlying support armature, framing, and the light chamber. Jan Yeaman worked steadily on the restoration, repair, and cleaning of the windowpanes, along with assistants Miriam Sailers, Donelda Clevenger, and Duane Clevenger.
Volunteerism, generosity, and creativity defined the project's success. John Kuntzleman, the contractor for the Arbor Café patio, loaned scaffolding to the church for the duration of the winter. With scaffolding rental typically costing $200 per day, this contribution represented a massive savings. Charlie Bunnell continually improved the original installation plan, even crafting 180 specialized oak clips (now affectionately known as the “Bunnell Clips”) to secure the windowpanes in place. By a conservative estimate, the team of dedicated volunteers contributed more than 1,500 hours of labor to bring this restoration to life.
Ultimately, while a professional restoration of a single window of this scale can cost upwards of $100,000, this community-based project was completed for less than $3000.

About the Window
Dedicated in 1894 within a United Brethren in Christ (1894-1946) church in Montpelier, Ohio, it stood alongside many other stained-glass windows and window settings within the sanctuary that would eventually serve Evangelical United Brethren (1946-1963), Church of the Nazarene (1963-1994), and Apostolic (1994-2009) congregations. Created in 1894 by G. C. Riordan & Co. of Cincinnati (now Beauverre Riordan Studios in Middletown), this 18-by-10-foot window setting stands as a testament to 19th-century craftsmanship. The14 panels in the window feature five significant circular medallions that act as a visual guide to the theology of the era:
The Apex (The Lyre)
Set within the top "rose" window, the lyre is a timeless symbol of divine praise and the "joyful noise" of a congregation in worship.
“Praise the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts of joy.” — Psalm 33:2-3
The Heart, Cross, and Anchor (far left panel)
A classic depiction of the three theological virtues: Love, Faith, and Hope. It signifies a soul anchored in Christ—the core message of the 1894 Holiness movement.
“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” — 1 Corinthians 13:13
The Sheaves of Wheat (middle left panel)
A symbol of the Spiritual Harvest and the “first fruits” of a life lived in the Spirit.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
Noah’s Ark (middle right panel)
This ancient symbol represents Salvation and Preservation, depicting the Church as a sanctuary of grace amidst the storms of the world.
“My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” — Isaiah 32:18
The Sower Sowing Seeds (far right panel)
Based on the parable in Matthew 13, this medallion represents the Work of the Word, illustrating the tireless effort of scattering the seeds of the Gospel.
“As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” — Matthew 13:23
The Memorial Panes
The bottom four rectangular panes of the window setting are dedicated to three Waterston brothers and their wives and children. The Waterstons were a family of Ohio pioneers who served as the primary benefactors for the original 1894 sanctuary in Montpelier.
In keeping with the traditions of the time, these memorial panes were installed to permanently acknowledge the families whose significant financial "subscriptions" made the construction of the brick edifice possible. While the upper medallions focus on theological virtues, these inscriptions grounded the window in the history of the community, honoring three Waterston brothers and their wives and children whose commitment to their faith and to their local church helped provide a beautiful, sacred space for generations of worshippers. While the inscriptions have faded over time, they are still readable under very close inspection.
Conclusion 
Beyond preserving an artifact, installing this window revitalizes our worship space with the craftsmanship of a previous era. Lead Pastor John Lane reflects, “After over 100 years of beauty shining through the windows to worshippers and then nearly two decades sitting in an abandoned church in Montpelier, we are excited for this classic window to bring new light to a modern generation here at The Arbor Church.”
Credits and Contributions
This project was completed entirely by the members of the Arbor Church:
Original Concept and Project Management: Johnny Maguire
Initial On-Site Inspection: Johnny Maguire, Carlos Rivera, Wayne Miller, Jan Yeaman
Removal and Transport: Joe Cassell, Carlos Rivera, Larry Matteson, Brandon Hotchkin, Will Melton (SAU student helper)
Trim Fabrication and Joinery: Charlie Bunnell (Artisan Woodworker), Carol Ann Bunnell
Stained Glass Restoration: Jan Yeaman (Restorer) and assistants Miriam Sailers, Donelda Clevenger, Duane Clevenger, Deb Stoner
Light Chamber, Armature, and Framing: Johnny Maguire, Carlos Rivera, Ryan Holbrook, and SAU student helpers: Will Melton, Jared Wallace, Murphy McCool
Installation of Glass Panels: Charlie Bunnell, Carlos Rivera, Johnny Maguire, and helpers Ryan Holbrook, Duane Clevenger
Walnut for trim provided by Todd Holton. Scaffolding provided by John Kuntzleman.