Was the Church willing to save the Windows and integrate the Stained Glass windows into the new church?
Yes, we had every intention of preserving ‘OUR HISTORY’, by using the stained glass windows within our new Worship Space, but not part of the exterior structure. It goes without saying that the best organization to preserve the dignity of the old windows is the Parish community; after all, it is our legacy. One of the issues is that they are not just window coverings; these windows represent the faith legacy of the St. Francis de Sales community. It is our belief that the donors had every intention of inspiring the local Catholic Community, not adorning the streets of Pickering Village. We owe it to our faith ancestors to protect their intentions, and preserve the religious dimension of them. From contact with some of the heirs of those windows, they are appalled that the Town has robbed the Catholic Community of these statements of faith. They feel betrayed by both the Town and the Church for dismissing the original intent of the donations. The Town is reducing spiritually charged ico
