El Tesoro de los Angeles Retreat Center
Woodland Park, CO
Due to circumstances beyond the control of the Owner and Architect, all work on this project was terminated well into the architectural design process. At that point, the Preliminary Stained Glass Designs (presented here) had been completed and the Final Stained Glass Designs were well underway..
Each vertical end wall at Chapel: approx. 1,175 square feet each
German mouthblown glass, lenses, dichroic glass. lead and solder.
From explanatory notes that accompanied the designs for EL TESORO:
NARTHEX WINDOW: PARADISUS
The transition from the Retreat Center (or Chapel parking area) takes worshipers on a symbolic journey through the desert culminating at the grand, circular Paradisus (Eden restored). In this symbolic oasis, travelers may sit on the perimeter wall and contemplate sculpture and landscape or simply pray and meditate quietly outdoors before entering the Chapel. At first glance, the Narthex Window will be faintly visible primarily where sky (light) is glimpsed through the glass roof and walls beyond. The Paradisus’ circular motif of wholeness and perfection is reiterated in the stained glass of the Narthex Window as an ellipse that emphasizes the vertical. This reflected vertical circle/ellipse is not overtly recognizable, but can be seen to resolve itself further into an “Omega” complementing the “Alpha” of the Chapel’s overall structure. The “Omega” includes tints of blue and green symbolizing our physical reality in nature. A radiant sunburst with pale amber accents greets worshipers. This sunburst can be seen to represent the risen Christ, the Hope and Promise of Sunrise and a New Day, the Gifts of the Angels, Ascension, Light and Spiritual Enlightenment. The more textured, clear, colorless glasses and amber accents which stream down from above and out into the world serve as reassuring reminders of the presence our triune God here on Earth. As worshipers leave the chapel, the outreaching rays of the sunburst become more apparent as a gesture of our Holy Father’s blessings, embrace and benediction.
ALTAR WINDOW: OMEGA
Upon entering the Chapel, the Altar Window floats behind the Altar area. As explained above, the Altar Window’s palette includes filmy white glasses. Besides diffusing direct afternoon sun, the white glass will also serve as a less transparent backdrop for worship and meditation. As one’s gaze moves upward, the Dove of the Holy Sprit will be seen as it descends from the highest reaches of the window. Whether seen during the day as radiant white or backlit at night as warm, glowing ambers, the Dove will be a memorable part of worshiper’s welcome to El Tesoro. At night the Dove will also appear as a torch-like beacon in the darkness when seen from outside.
The sparkling golden glasses streaming down from above symbolize God’s gifts especially his most precious gift of his Son and the Eucharist. The amber color represents the Host and illuminates the lower sections of the stained glass where light purples represent the Eucharistic wine. The arcs that orbit around the lower part of the Altar Window serve to enframe the Altar. Their circular movement quietly draws attention back to the main focus of worship at the Altar Table and is an understated echo of the Omega first seen in the Narthex Window. The sides of the Altar (and Narthex) Window are primarily plate and other clear, colorless glasses which anticipate the plate glass used in the curved side windows’ IGU’s.
Computer Rendering of Chapel
