A little bit of sun shines through the window behind Ross Glen Way. (Photo Courtesy Bob Schneider)

By Chris Brown

Stained glass from St. Theresa’s Academy

Glass restorer bringing Medicine Hat history back to life

Nov 30, 2021 | 12:29 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Tucked away next to a green space behind Ross Glen Way is a piece of Medicine Hat history that dates back more than a century.

A stained glass window that used to be part of the old St. Theresa’s Academy has been restored and refurbished by local glass restoration expert Robert Weissmann. He’s currently working on more of the windows and when he’s finished he wants them to be enjoyed by the community.

“I’m just trying to bring them back to life and let the people of Medicine Hat enjoy them again,” he said. “And one of the reasons why I did this project here was so that you know people walking in the green space here could enjoy them.”

After St. Theresa’s Academy was demolished in 1973 its stained glass windows were purchased by Capital Iron in Victoria. They sat in storage before making their way back to Medicine Hat and the local historical society.

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Weissmann was asked to look at the windows and eventually purchased them himself about three years ago.

Medalta has let Weissmann store the frames and windows there, and local companies Terralta and Air Tech have provided space for him to work on them.

He says he has enough glass for three 16-foot-high windows and has broken some of the larger windows into smaller ones.

Once he’s done with the restorations he wants them to go to good homes, preferably in Medicine Hat.

“I really hope they stay in this town. You know, it’s a piece of history,” Weissmann said. “A lot of history in different cities and towns gets lost in the demolishing of the buildings and that. And this is a piece of the history that’s come back to town after being away for a number of years and it should be, should be used and seen by all.”

Weissmann thinks schools, city hall and the Esplanade would be good places for the larger ones, and the smaller ones could work in some homes.

If you’re interested in getting your hands on one of the finished pieces you can call Weissmann at 1-250-383-4197.

For more information about Weissmann and his work visit weissmannglassworks.com.