ST. PETER’S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
The quiet little village of Saukville Wisconsin, is home to the St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. St. Peter’s was originally built in 1876, and is now on the Historic Register of Deeds.
In 1995 a donation allowed for the expansion of the current sanctuary, and was decided a new worship space would would be added to the existing sanctuary, making one large building. The new building allowed for some 21 new stained-glass windows to be added.
Aaron, who had been a life-time member up to that point, was moving to Minneapolis to study art at the Bougie Studio. He was awarded the commission to design, paint, and generally oversee the creation of the twenty-one new windows for the church. While studying in Minneapolis, he was working closely with Gaytee Stained Glass Studio in Minneapolis for the fabrication of the larger windows, and with member Clyde Crass for the smaller series. Aaron was fortunate to be able to gain a part-time employment with Gaytee at the time.
The first window completed and installed in 1996, was the large central window of the Good Shepherd, which measures an impressive seventeen feet tall.
The next windows to be completed and installed were the series of windows(pictured above) designed to match the windows in the old church; These were fabricated by Clyde Crass and the Medallions (or Rondells) were painted by Aaron Holland. Each of the rondells in the center of the window uses symbol to tell the story of the life of Christ in chronological order, beginning with His birth, and going clockwise around the building to His resurrection.
The ‘Last Supper’ windows followed, and were eventually installed in on Easter Sunday in 2000. The subject matter was a was a personal scene chosen by the artist and approved by the church. He had hoped to re-tell a well known story in a way that would cause some to see it again new; To create a scene that would be more representative of the events that transpired at the Last Supper of Christ. Click here to see more about the Last Supper windows.
The Last Supper windows were created during the years of 1995-1999, at the same time as the other windows were being created. It was a busy time for the artist with full-time studies, part-time jobs, and window projects, but the church was happy to accomodate. The new building exceeded the donation amount given to the church. Extra time meant they could find the funds for the remaining windows.
All of the stained glass windows were dedicated during a special service given on April 23, 2000, Easter Sunday Dedication( installation of the Last Supper Windows happened the day before!). News clip courtesy of the Ozaukee Press.
The last of the windows to be completed and installed was the small Dove Window the hangs in the back of the sanctuary, above the Choir loft. The dates on the glass, commemorate the dedication of the old church in 1868, and the dedication of the new sanctuary in 1995. This window was installed in 2000, to the Glory of God! Amen.
*Thank you to James and John Peterson for all your direction and help documenting the windows project, and for many of the pictures.