St. Ann Catholic Church in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, partnered with Scottish Stained Glass to transform their 1970s-era sanctuary into a bright, uplifting space that reflects both faith and beauty. Originally built in 1975, the church’s interior featured dark wood paneling and green-and-yellow stained glass that cast a dim, muted hue throughout the sanctuary. Father Kevin Drew, who had previously worked with Martin Faith at another parish, reached out once again to bring new life to St. Ann’s through light and design. Together with designer Sarah Marai, the goal was to remove the heavy, dated glass and replace it with custom stained glass that illuminated the space while adding layers of theological symbolism. The design beautifully captures the church’s desire for verticality—inviting parishioners to look upward, just as Jesus did toward heaven.
Project Overview
Project Details
Location: Excelsior Springs, Missouri
Type of Project: Sanctuary Renovation & Custom Stained Glass Design
Glass Type: Hand-painted and leaded glass, LED-backlit panel installation
Client Type: Catholic Church
The centerpiece of the project was the remarkable St. Anne window, designed to honor the church’s patron saint. Since the space lacked a natural window in the desired location, the team created an innovative solution: a stained glass panel mounted on the wall, backlit with LED lighting to emulate the glow of natural daylight. This piece serves as both a symbolic and architectural focal point within the sanctuary. The design also integrates a garden and trellis motif, representing St. Anne’s role as the maternal support for the Virgin Mary—the “Mystical Rose.” Throughout the other windows, small red glass accents symbolize the royal and mystical bloodline of Christ, tying each element back to the heart of the faith.
Notable Highlights
The renovation of St. Ann’s Catholic Church is a striking example of how thoughtful stained glass design can transform a worship space—both visually and spiritually. The new windows fill the sanctuary with light, creating a peaceful, heavenly atmosphere that invites reflection and reverence. By blending traditional symbolism with modern craftsmanship, Scottish Stained Glass helped restore beauty and meaning to the space, allowing parishioners to feel connected to their faith in a renewed way. The result is an inspiring environment that celebrates sacred art, light, and devotion in perfect harmony.