Although the Frei Studio windows were not always so identified, a small but very important section in the lower left panel of the ‘Assumption’ window in the balcony bears the glass inscription “Emil Frei Art Glass Co. St. Louis Mo”.
Windows in St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church
Bisbee, AZ
Munich Pictorial style Stained Glass Windows (total 2733 sq. ft.)
Designed and crafted at Emil Frei Studios St. Louis, MO
Installed during construction of St. Patrick Church 1915 - 1917
The stained glass windows of St. Patrick Church are a stunning example of the masterpieces created by the Emil Frei Studio. Made from mouth-blown lead crystal glass, the windows were painted and detailed with exacting attention to artistic nuance before being fired, resulting in strong, vibrant colors, lifelike skin textures and depths of emotional expression rarely found in stained glass.
The thirty seven windows in St. Patrick Church include two mammoth 25’ high transept windows and three very large windows in the balcony/choir loft. Eight 16’ clerestory windows on the sides of the nave, along with the transept windows, show scenes from the life of Christ. Beneath the clerestory windows in the nave are eight pairs of smaller windows depicting biblical and religious scenes. Smaller panels in various locations complete the set.
There is no documentation available showing the cost of the windows purchased when the church was built. According to a brief historical summary written by Rev. Walter F. Rosensweig in 1963 “the beautiful large windows high upon the walls cost $1,500 each, while the little windows close to the side aisles were $250 each.’ Today the windows are insured and valued in excess of $4 million.
The images in this pictorial summary are not to scale. Photography © Ursula Ritchie, St. Patrick Parish
The ‘Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ window and the two ‘tapestry’ windows (pictured above) are in the choir loft / balcony in the south end of the church. The Assumption window can be seen from the exterior over the main church entry.
The small panels shown in the section following the nameplate are somewhat less visible, though just as beautiful. They are in the area of the stairwells going up into the balcony, in the vesting & reconciliation rooms in the back of the church, and in the servers’ sacristy.
