by Fred Hernandez
It is no secret by any means and yet few members of the Custer community in general are aware of an absolutely gorgeous project underway right here in our county. It is an art form that reaches back to the time before Our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ. Some historians mention the year 2700 B.C. and believe it to have started in the Middle East. Ancient Egyptians were probably the first to use colored glass beads followed by well to do Romans who used them in their homes. Artisans of old mixed potash and sand and heated the mixture up to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit while adding various metallic powders to create different colors. The artists made “blueprints” or “cartoons” of the design they had in mind on large boards onto which sheets of glass would be laid on top to “groze”, a term which means to cut glass into different forms. From these primitive methods, the art of stained glass windows took shape and grew in popularity during the medieval ages and through the Renaissance period when Christianity was spreading and Christian Churches were being built across the European landscape. At that time, stained glass was almost the perfect medium to teach about Religion to the uninformed masses of the less than Illiterate populations. Christianity was spreading far and wide and stained glass depictions of Biblical lessons were an effective way of getting the message of Salvation everywhere in the ancient world.

At our local Roman Catholic Church, Our Lady of the Assumption on Rosita and Fifth Streets, the parishioners, with the leadership of the Pastor Fr. Stephen Injoalu, decided to commit to an eminent and distinctive project to finally put the finishing touches on the church which was constructed in the early 2000s and officially dedicated on August 15, 2007. At that time every element was in place to conduct all services required. However, six windows on each side of the building were just plain glass due to the high cost of producing stained glass panels. Recently, the parishioners made the commitment to place the finishing touches on the windows and contracted for the stained glass needed to adorn the church and accomplish the job once and for all.
Little do people around here know, and you will be fascinated to find out that we have an accomplished glass maker right here in our midst. Douglas Bayer, also known as Dougie and better known for his expertise in construction of homes, is also an expert glass artist who learned his trade during the time he spent in Europe some twenty years ago. In fact, he has a glass making, glass blowing workshop/studio in his home from where he produces exquisite articles of glass including bowls, platters and objects of art; objects of beauty in a myriad of sizes in fascinating and brilliant colors. A few years ago during construction of the church, Dougie handmade the main panels of stained glass that embellish the back wall of the Altar at Our Lady of the Assumption. These pieces are attractive religious art that lifts one’s soul to a prayerful embrace of the Almighty and Eternal God.
Recently, with Father Stephen’s encouragement, funds started flowing in from the parishioners and Dougie got back to his workbench at the glass shop and began the tedious, hard work required. It starts with many hours of research, then designing, drawing by pencil which includes multiple changes and revisions and finally ‘grozing’ which means placing the glass on the drawing board itself and meticulously cutting, rear-ranging, soldering and, with great attention to detail, fashioning each of the panels. It takes many weeks to produce one panel and this project, no matter how well funded, will take at least a couple of years to complete.
The overall panorama of the design for all twelve windows features a constant element, a theme that runs through all of the windows thus bringing the spiritual message together. Last week Dougie and two church volunteers, Steve Yackley and Jim Potyraj installed the second window shown here. It is the Bible tale of the Lion and the Lamb who will one day lay together in total Peace. The Peace that comes from Our Lord Jesus, Son of The Living God.
Dougie’s expertise was acquired when he worked in Sweden, the town of Kosta, where one of the four most famous Masters in Sweden lived and taught his skills. The Master under whom Dougie learned this trade was Jan Erik Ritzman. One of Dougie’s colleagues was Igor Sacharov who defected from Russia via Germany because artists such as Igor were considered radicals by the Bolsheviks. Igor spoke no English or German and Dougie spoke no Russian. Over time both of them perfected the German language that was to be the way they communicated. They became close friends. Together they went to shows around Europe and slowly built a reputation for themselves as talented glass artists. With the good fame came some well-heeled investors who offered to invest in a commercial enterprise for them. It was then that Dougie had to make a decision whether he should stay in Europe and have a successful career as a glass master or return to his home country,
the USA. We are blessed that he decided on the latter. Seeking a nice quiet location where he could pursue his trade as a glass maker he
eventually picked Custer County. To supplement his income he got
involved with some well known local builders and gained another trade.

The team of helpers who work with Dougie are Steve and Debby Yackley, Diana Hyde, Jim Potyraj and Catherine Verdin.

As the panorama grows at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, the Sangre de Cristo Sentinel will keep the county community posted. Eventually the plan is to do a centerfold of the entire project including all twelve windows. When completed this
project promises to be a thing of great beauty for the entire community.