by Amy (Lewis) Nugent, Trustee
It was evident in the meticulous care with which he removed each piece of wood molding holding the windows in place. So into his work, he seemed completely unfazed by the crisp November temperatures and the sight of his breath with each exhale. Occasionally, he’d offer an explanation of a finite detail that revealed the age and authenticity of Old Salem’s construction. It was clear, Jake Jones of Medicine Wood is a master craftsman and an archeologist of historic buildings.
He pointed out the use of square-cut nails, which were phased out in the late 1800s, and the black stamp “JCS & Co., St. Paul” on the reverse side of the trim that identified the millwork company. The sash pegs I had always thought inoperable or untrustworthy could hold the sash open rather than the somewhat crude wood sticks likely first used by my great-grandfather. Jake enlightened me that the upper sash could be opened to let the summer heat out. In all my 50 odd years around the church, I was never so fascinated by its construction.
Watching Jake work and listening to his explanations, I felt a sense of relief.
Old Salem’s Trustees have the best interest of the church building and property at heart. Even so, we lack the expertise to know how best to care for and preserve the 150-year old structure. We often err on the side of doing little rather than doing harm.
The cracked panes of poured glass in three windows had been that way for years - perhaps my whole life. My fellow Trustees and I, and likely those before us, may have resigned ourselves to the idea the windows were irreparable as the delicate glass-making process hasn’t been used in more than 100 years.
The cracks, however, were compromising the windows’ integrity. So, on a whim, I searched the Minnesota Historical Society’s historic preservation directory for fenestration companies and discovered Medicine Wood.
I sent an inquiry and waited, trying not to get my hopes up. My heart lifted with the reply: an epoxy certified for historic uses might seal the cracks or the panes could be replaced with salvaged “wavy” glass.
The Trustees approved hiring Medicine Wood to repair the three windows in November. By January’s Epiphany service, Jake had repaired the windows in his Cottage Grove shop and reinstalled them.
He also cleaned off several layers of crusty old paint encroaching on the glass. The repaired windows are beautiful.
Historical Assessment to Identify Preservation Priorities
At our February meeting, the Board voted to hire Medicine Wood to do a full historical assessment of the church building to help us prioritize needed preservation and chart a path to be eligible for the National Historic Register. He will present his finding at the Board’s quarterly meeting in August.
Thank you to all the donors whose gifts help underwrite this important work. Together, with the help of historical specialists like Jake Jones, we’re ensuring Old Salem Shrine will endure for future generations to appreciate.
The millwork company’s stamp on the reverse of the window trim and the 1875 St. Paul Business Directory indicate the windows of Old Salem Shrine were made by J.C. Stowers & Co. of St. Paul.
