Century-Old Stained Glass Lights the Way

They say every picture tells a story. On our campus, the historic windows in St. Catherine Chapel have a beautiful story to share. St. Catherine Chapel is home to some of the oldest stained-glass windows in the city of Memphis. This century-old stained glass lights the way connecting our current students to our school’s rich history and Dominican foundation.

In 1911, St. Agnes Academy commissioned the Munich Studio in Chicago to design and create 13 stained glass windows for the chapel that was being added to the school. The windows were designed in the German Baroque style with each window depicting a Dominican saint. At that time, St. Agnes was located at Vance and Orleans in downtown Memphis.

When St. Agnes made the move to the school’s current location in 1951, the windows were carefully removed and placed in storage on campus where they remained for over 45 years. Fast forward to 1997 when construction began on Siena Hall. The time was right for a new home for these historic windows.

Laukhoff Stained Glass Studio in Memphis began work meticulously restoring each window, bringing it back to its original beauty. The company had never restored stained glass as old as these windows, and they worked carefully to match the original colors. The restoration process took almost a full year. Additionally, the artists at Laukhoff created a new window for the sanctuary depicting the risen Christ.  

Today St. Catherine Chapel is the spiritual heart of our campus. Our Early Childhood students participate in weekly Chapel time, students in all grades attend reconciliation services and celebrate Mass together as a class. Students pray the rosary and attend First Friday adoration. Alumnae even return to campus for special Mass celebrations.

As we prepare our students to be young men and women of integrity who seek Truth, the windows serve as a visual reminder of that Dominican spirit of veritas exemplified in the lives of the Dominican saints.

"While surrounded by the beautiful glow of the chapel's stained glass, our students can find inspiration in the stories of the Dominican saints depicted in the windows,” said Beth Odom, Director of Dominican Catholic Identity. “The visual narrative of these saints resonates deeply, fostering a spiritual feeling that transcends the physical walls, shaping the character and values of our students.”

“In the chapel, students can discover not only a place of worship, but a sanctuary where the legacies of the Dominican saints illuminate a path towards compassion, knowledge, and lifelong learning,” said Mrs. Odom.