This Friday the
Historical Society of Mount Lebanon will lead the Saints and Stained Glass tour inside the St. Bernard and Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian churches. As Mt. Lebanon celebrates 100 years in 2012 the Historical Society hopes to help area residents learn more about their community's past.
"This [tour] is one way of educating and letting the people know about the wonderful history and architecture that we have in the community," says M.A. Jackson, president of the Historical Society.
In addition to stained glass, St. Bernard's features eight frescoes by internationally known artist Jan Henryk De Rosen. Among murals and mosaics in Europe and the United States, De Rosen also completed a mural for Pope Pius XI's private chapel. The mural at St. Bernard's, which tells the story of the Book of Revelations, received a minor restoration in 2006.
The 200-plus-year-old Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian church is the oldest and first church in the community. One "Gospel" window in the church was designed by Howard Gilman of the Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios.
The complex includes a 1929 Gothic sanctuary, a 1961 modernist education wing, and a new multi-purpose building designed by Celli-Flynn Brennan Architects & Planners. Stained glass panels and limestone medallions were salvaged from a demolished 1922 education wing and are included in the church's expansion.
The cost of the tour is $5 for Historical Society members, and $10 for non-members. The tour begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 12th, and will run approximately 90 minutes. Patricia Calvelo and Judy Sutton will lead the tour which leaves from the Presbyterian church parking lot on Washington Road.
E-mail info@hsmtl.org or call 412-563-1941 to make a reservation.
Writer: Andrew Moore
Source: M.A. Jackson