Holy Family Parish invites community to explore historic stained glass windows

Download the new self-guided tour app

Little Falls, NY— Holy Family Parish invites the community to experience and celebrate the beauty of its historic and priceless stained glass windows during a special event at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16.

The self-guided tours will showcase 22 stained glass windows created in Birmingham, England, and installed in 1915. Each window depicts a scene from the life of Christ. Guests will be able to explore the windows using the parish’s new digital app, which will be available in the Apple and Android app stores. A printed tour and meditation booklet will also be available.

“These stained glass windows have told the story of Christ’s life to generations of parishioners and visitors for more than a century,” said Father Brian Slezak, pastor of Holy Family Parish. “We are excited to invite the community to experience their beauty and meaning in a new way through our self-guided tours and digital app, which allow people of all ages to reflect, learn, and connect more deeply with the stories of faith they depict.”

The family-friendly event will include a special “Children’s Eye Spy” activity, encouraging young visitors to look for details and symbols within the windows.

Following the self-guided tours, guests are invited to attend confession at 3 p.m., the rosary at 3:30 p.m., and Mass at 4 p.m. Holy Family Parish is located at 763 E. Main St., Little Falls, NY 13365.

RSVP is not required. For questions, call (315) 717-3012 or email holyfamily.littlefalls@rcda.org.

Funding for this project is made possible by the UpMobility Foundation.

History of Holy Family Parish and the Historical Windows

In the early 1870s, the population of Little Falls had grown to nearly 6,000 people, most of whom were of English and Irish parentage. By 1874, Irish Catholics became mill owners, prosperous merchants, educators, and professionals, such as doctors and lawyers. They petitioned the Bishop when it came time to design and build a new place of worship. These parishioners were very generous. The ordinary working people, those toiling in the mills and factories, also pledged small amounts of money, and, in many instances, more than they could afford. What they could not offer in monetary donations, they could provide in labor-digging and preparing the ground for the foundation.

The present church edifice, built in the Gothic style, was begun in 1874. The stone used in construction was mined from local rock quarries. The laying of the cornerstone took place on Sunday, May 19, 1878, and the first Mass took place on Christmas Day 1879. In September 1900, the current high altar was installed. It is constructed of the finest Italian marble and Mexican onyx. The original church building was then completed with a bell tower in 1901. This bell tower and steeple extends to a height of 185 feet, complete with a massive gilded cross.

In 1902, it was announced that the new stations of the cross were to be placed in the church. The list of donors was extensive. The three-dimensional figures, located between the stainedglass windows are of stone composition. Each station weighs 350 pounds. The cost of each station at that time was $100.

During the early 1900s, major renovations were made to Saint Mary’s Church.

For the stained glass phase of this restoration project, Saint Mary’s turned to the world’s premier stained glass designers and artisans John Hardman & Company of Birmingham England. The windows were modeled after the English style of the fourteenth century.

Each of these magnificent windows tells a story about an episode in the life of Jesus Christ. Looking at each window, and understanding the story depicted in its stained glass, helps us to see how windows served as “Biblical teaching tools” during the Medieval Period.

You may be listening or reading a summary of each window. Note the biblical theology as it is intertwined with stories regarding the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

About Holy Family Parish

Holy Family Parish is dedicated to creating an environment for every person to grow in faith through prayer, lifelong learning, service, discipleship, and pastoral support. For additional information, visit www.holyfamilylittlefalls.org.