Photo Provided THE STAINED glass windows at Grace Presbyterian Church in Martins Ferry are being restored by workers with the Willet Hauser Architectural Glass Co. of Chicago. The plastic coverings over the 121-year-old windows will also be replaced.

MARTINS FERRY — Passersby may have noticed some scaffolding on the outside of Grace Presbyterian Church in Martins Ferry recently.

The church, located at 7 N. Fourth St., is having its 121-year-old stained glass windows restored. Then new protective coverings will be placed over top of them to keep them safe for decades to come.

The Rev. William Webster, pastor of Grace, said the stained glass windows were originally installed in 1900. In 1981, protective pieces of plastic, known as Lexan, were installed over each one.

Since Webster became pastor 34 years ago members of the congregation have talked about replacing the coverings, which had faded and yellowed, and repairing the windows.

“Ever since I’ve been here they have wanted to restore the windows and we’ve finally gotten around to restoring them,” Webster said Friday.

Webster said the Willet Hauser Architectural Glass Co. of Chicago was hired to do the job for $60,000. It involves restoring leading between pieces of the glass that need repaired, debulging leading heat damaged by the sun, replacing some cracked and broken pieces of glass, repairing and replacing wood and wood framing, along with the installation of new wooden frames to hold the new plastic coverings.

The process is expected to take about three weeks and is already about half done.

Webster noted if the church were to try to replace the windows it would cost about $900,000.

“The new Plexiglass will not yellow or fade. It’s 30 times stronger and should resist damage … and will be a real protective agent on it,” he added.

The church is planning to rededicate the windows during its July 25 service. On July 24 a celebratory concert is being planned with Mark King, a parishioner of the church who also works as an entertainer at Disney World.

Webster said there are few companies that do the type of window restoration work that Grace needed. Willet, he added, is one of the premiere companies in the country.

“It’s exciting because they have wanted it done for 34 years now,” he added.

The Grace Church building was constructed in 1852 and rebuilt about 1900.