September 5, 2008

St. Anne Parish bazaar features keepsake collectibles from church

St. Anne parishioner David Johnson of New Castle creates a stained-glass design from pieces of the former church windows. The historic Henry County church was gutted in an arson fire on Holy Saturday in 2007. (Submitted photo)

St. Anne parishioner David Johnson of New Castle creates a stained-glass design from pieces of the former church windows. The historic Henry County church was gutted in an arson fire on Holy Saturday in 2007. (Submitted photo)

By Mary Ann Wyand

Stained-glass fragments sparkle on the workbench as St. Anne parishioners David and Nancy Johnson of New Castle lovingly craft them into crosses, jewelry and a variety of larger, decorative designs.

The colorful glass pieces formerly filtered sunlight through the ornate stained-glass windows in the historic brick church, which was destroyed by an arson fire on Holy Saturday, April 7, in 2007.

Now the stained-glass has found a new life as keepsake collectibles made by the Johnsons that are being sold to benefit the church building fund.

St. Anne’s annual Fall Bazaar is Sept. 13 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the Parish Center, 102 N. 19th St., in New Castle.

Franciscan Sister Shirley Gerth, parish life coordinator of St. Anne Parish in New Castle and St. Rose Parish in Knightstown, said the stained-glass items and pieces of slate from the church roof are expected to sell quickly.

She said the Johnsons coordinated the project and did much of the work. Parish volunteers helped them remove the stained-glass from the gutted church then clean it.

The bazaar also features gardening supplies, books, a white elephant sale, baked goods and a silent auction.

“Any funds that we bring in on the stained-glass items will go to the building fund,” Sister Shirley said. “The sale of other items will benefit the parish operating fund. We made about $10,000 selling the stained-glass [items] last year, and people are still wanting mementos of the church.” †

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