Conrad Schmitt Studios: stained glass checklist

church decoration theater, art,
church painting decoration, theatre, Stained, repair, creation, trompe l'oeil
church renovation repair, glass, consultant
faux wood renovation, mural, cathedral
mural repair gilding
church decoration preservation

Conrad Schmitt Studios: Creation and restoration of decorative painting, stained glass, art glass, murals, mosaic, sculpture and statuary

liturgical consulting interiors, theater, art, original
faux finishes statuary
stained glass repair design

	Photo: Tiffany Photography Studio/Indianapolis

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Indianapolis, Indiana

"Phoenix Rising" Award from the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana

Painting and Decorating Contractors of America "Picture it Painted Professionally" Award

Following a devastating fire, the goal of the restoration was to return the interior of the church to its appearance five minutes before the damage began. This involved the replication of four, turn-of-the-century sanctuary windows originally created by Mayer of Munich, the conservation of fourteen nave windows, the replication of eleven murals and the decorative painting throughout the church.

The project began with a competition among four studios to replicate an existing panel as closely as possible. Conrad Schmitt Studios most successfully re-created the original types of glass and paint, as well as the artistic style.

The new, full-size drawings or “cartoons” to guide the replication of the Mayer windows were created from remnants of the original windows as well as from photographs.

The glass was matched, cut, and meticulously repainted to look exactly like the original. The panels were then kiln-fired to permanency, reinforced and installed.

The award-winning restoration has renewed the worship space and the spirits of Sacred Heart parishioners.