The story of this building began in 1922. At that time, local church members met in the basement of the Community Hall. In 1924, land was purchased for a permanent church. That same year, Ada McCleary—a generous community leader and wife of town founder Henry McCleary—passed away after a short illness.

To honor her memory, the entire town helped raise money to build a proper church. Henry McCleary even added an option on his company’s payroll form so mill workers could easily donate through automatic paycheck deductions.

The highlight of the main sanctuary is the stunning stained-glass window located on the west side of the building.

Henry McCleary commissioned this masterpiece in memory of his late wife, Ada. A dedication plaque at the bottom of the center panel reads: “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Mrs. Ada L. McCleary.”

Inspiration Behind the Art

The window is a reproduction of the famous 1851 painting “Light of the World” by English artist William Holman Hunt. The artwork shows Jesus knocking on a wooden door. Hunt explained that the door has no handle on the outside because it can only be opened from the inside.

Who Crafted the Glass?

The window was built by Povey Brothers Art Glass Works of Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1888, the Povey family was famous across the Pacific Northwest for their master craftmanship in opalescent stained glass.

The Great Restoration ($12,000 Project)

After a major earthquake in 2010, the historic window began sinking because the wooden support sill underneath had rotted. In 2011, the community raised $12,000 to save the window:

• Structural Rebuild: The supporting wall under the central panel was reinforced.
• Glass Master Restoration: Father-and-son team Jim and Jim Perry from Perry Stained Glass Studios in Issaquah expertly repaired and reinstalled the window panels.
• Family Connection: Kelley Mooers, owner of Mooers Stained Glass Works in Seattle and the great-grandson of David Povey, helped restore the glass. He crafted and fired replacement pieces for broken glass using traditional family techniques passed down since his ancestors emigrated from England in 1848.

Frequently Asked Questions

What other stained glass is in the building?

In addition to the large Light of the World window, smaller decorative stained glass windows were added to the north and south walls of the sanctuary between 1980 and 1984. The glass above the entrance door was donated in memory of Charlotte Remae Koohns and installed by volunteers Merle Stoney, Gene Mullens, and Frank Swearngin.

What exhibits can I see at the museum?

Check out our Displays and Exhibits page  for more information on what we have on display.

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Prefer to call? 360-964-0561        Mailing Address: PO Box 554, McCleary, WA 98557         Visit Us During Open Hours: 426 S 3rd St, McCleary, WA