For immediate release:

St. James’ Episcopal Church
11815 Seven Locks Road
Potomac, Maryland  20854
http://www.stjamespotomac.org
301-762-8040

October 19, 2008

DEDICATION OF NEW DOORS AND STAINED GLASS

At services on Sunday, October 19, St. James’ Episcopal Church, at 11815 Seven Locks Road in Potomac, dedicated new front doors with six beautiful stained glass panels, presenting a dramatic visual image encompassing central messages of Christianity.  The Rev. Cindy O. Baskin, parish rector, has observed, “The new doors transform the appearance of our church from both the inside and the outside. With more light in the church entrance, they offer a much more welcoming atmosphere for those entering to worship.”

Soon after St. James’ was founded in 1963 to serve the growing Rockville-Potomac community, the church building was constructed in 1967.  Now, forty years later, the decades-old doors required replacement. A committee of interested parishioners was inspired to include stained glass images in new doors to demonstrate the bedrock of faith upon which the parish worships, teaches and reaches out to others.  “The stained-glass art is a vehicle for teaching our children and youth, for reminding everyone of our focus and sources of strength, for enhancing worship, and for welcoming visitors and all in the community,” said Rector Baskin.

Funds for these much-needed doors were provided from parish reserves held for building improvements.  The stained glass panels were given by donors of memorial and thanksgiving gifts.The parish committee worked for nearly two years to plan this project with art glass craftsman Anthony Glander, who coordinated the project from his Fitzpatrick Glass studio in Kentlands, Gaithersburg.  Artist Charles Devillier, of Laurel, designed the panels for custom-made doors installed by Tom Cole of Architectural Materials, Inc.