Local tour supports architectural stained glass in St. Joseph
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The Shakespeare Chateau Guild is highlighting six historic locations for an up-close look at some of St. Joseph’s finest examples of stained glass.
The locations will be featured on a tour, St. Joseph’s Architectural Jewelry: a tour of extraordinary stained glass, from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 27. According to Isobel McGowan, owner and innkeeper of the Shakespeare Chateau Inn Bed & Breakfast, the event invites participants to experience the city's rich architectural legacy through its vibrant stained-glass windows.
“Pardon the pun, but it's to enlighten people on how beautiful and exquisite stained glass, especially historic stained glass, truly is,” McGowan said. “Much of it dates back to the 1880s and 1890s, and it's really extraordinary.”
The self-guided tour will begin at the Shakespeare Chateau. Participants will receive a booklet with brief histories and highlights of each location.
The chateau itself boasts the largest number of original stained-glass windows in a Gilded Age mansion anywhere in North America. In recent years, McGowan has worked closely with the Guild to support its nonprofit mission and help preserve the architectural and cultural heritage of St. Joseph.
The tour will feature six locations — three historic churches and three Gilded Age mansions — each showcasing unique examples of stained glass. Stops include the Robidoux House, the Nunning House, First Presbyterian Church, Christ Episcopal Church and Zion United Church of Christ.
Robin Goodwin, a coordinator of the event, said the process has been a rewarding effort rooted in community collaboration.
“We’ve received a lot of help, especially from the Historic Foundation who heads the Jewels home tour in the fall,” Goodwin said. “Those have been wildly successful, and we expect this to be successful as well.
Advance tickets are $20 and available on the Shakespeare Guild website at Shakespeareguild.org. In addition, each location will have replicas of the featured stained-glass windows, which can be purchased at $20 each. For more information, call 718-501-8838.
Proceeds from the tour will benefit ongoing preservation efforts and future Guild projects that celebrate the architectural gems of St. Joseph.
"We have a bunch of local sponsors who are helping us out, which is awesome," Goodwin said. "If anybody would like to help out, we are looking for more volunteers. If you want to be a part of the tour, we would love to have you."
