The Community Foundation of Northwest Connecticut has awarded Church of Christ, Congregational in Norfolk a grant of up to $4000 to enhance the protection and visibility of the Tiffany stained glass windows in the Battell Chapel. The five windows depict natural scenes and were installed in the chapel in 1929.  They are considered among the finest examples of Louis Tiffany’s work and attract many visitors to the area.

The new exterior covers that will be purchased with the grant will permit viewing the windows, which face Litchfield Road (Route 272), from outside the chapel and the church plans to provide interior lighting so that the windows can be seen at night as well.  “We are delighted that the Community Foundation of Northwest Connecticut has awarded us this grant,” said Pastor Erick Olsen.  “We hope to complete the work on the windows in time for Norfolk’s 250^th birthday celebration this summer.  I want to thank Shelley Harms, who put the grant application together, and Sue Dyer and Ann Havemeyer, who wrote letters of support from the town and the historical society.”

According to Heather Thomson, a member of the church’s “Dare to Dream” capital campaign committee, the grant request is part of a larger capital campaign to improve the physical plant of the property.  The church has so far raised $365,000 in pledges toward increased safety measures, enhanced handicapped access, and maintenance of buildings that are used for worship, concerts and meeting space by community organizations.

For more information, or to contribute to the capital campaign, visit Battell Chapel, call 542-5721, or go to the church’s website at www.norfolkctucc.org.

Photo, top, of Battell Chapel’s Louis Comfort Tiffany panel, “Winter,” courtesy of Church of Christ Congregational.