Restorations by Phillip R. Watkins, Jr. Watkins Stained Glass Studio

I have been involved with stained glass fabrication and restoration for over 50 years.

My philosophy is to make old damaged windows look like the original using the same materials and techniques. I match the glass, color, painting technique and lead so closely that the replaced and repaired pieces or areas cannot be discerned, leaving the window strengthened and in the original condition. Some of the more notable restoration projects done during past 50 years include:

Trinity United Methodist Church – Denver, Colorado
Evaluation and assessment of the stained glass windows of the entire church (2009)
Restorion of the Resurrection Angel Stained Glass Window (2011 and 2012)
Major restorations during past 30 years

St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral – Denver, Colorado
Evaluation and assessment of the stained glass windows of the entire Cathedral (2008)
Restoration of the Dagwell Hall doors (2012)
Restoration of Dagwell Hall “Pilgrim’s Progress” Windows (2010-2011)
Various repairs of stained glass windows due to valdalism every few years
Restoration of L. C. Tiffany stained glass Transom Window – bowed and broken (1989)
Major restorion of large “Last Judgment” Great Window after hailstorm (1990)
Restoration of entire church stained glass windows after earthquake (1968-1970)

St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church – Castle Rock, Colorado
Remaking or adapting and repairing 8 antique painted window to fit openings in the new church that was designed for these beautiful windows (2011-2012)

Annunciation Catholic Church – Denver, Colorado
Restoration with extension painting of many stained glass windows during past 15 years.
Major 6 month restoration of vandalized large front Sacred Heart of Jesus Window (2010)

Colorado State Capitol – Denver, Colorado
Evaluation and assessment of the Hall of Fame Rotunda Stained Glass Windows (2011)
Major restoration of the Senate Chambers Moffat stained glass window and Nicholson Window. Senate Chambers were turned into workspace between sessions (1999).
Various other restoration and repairs during past 50 years.

Pearce-McAllister Museum of Miniatures and Dolls (Colorado State Museum) – Denver, Colorado
Full restoration of the skylight that was in critical condition and needed immediate repair (2012)

Brown Palace Hotel – Denver, Colorado
Major restoration of entire stained glass skylight 9 stories above Lobby (1985)
This project received much media attention on news channels and in the news papers.
Repair of random damaged windows done upon request for skylight
Various frequent repairs to the Ships Tavern and Skylight over past 50 years

St. Paul United Methodist Church – Denver, Colorado
A full restoration of all of the stained glass windows in the church. This was a year long project done with Historic Denver, Spectrum General Contractors, Hoehn Architects and the History Colorado State Historical Fund Grant supported this project. Some of the large Double Hung windows were repaired at the studio but most of the stained glass was restored in place off of high scaffolding. Frank Watkins, grandfather of Phil Watkins, created and fabricated the stained glass windows.
Restoration (2011-2012)

United Methodist Church of Canon City – Canon City, Colorado
A full restoration of all non-religious stained glass windows in the church.
This project was supported by History Colorado and the State Historical Fund Grant. Further restoration has been done on the religious stained glass windows, this is still continuing.
(2008-present)

430 Years of God and Christ – Denver, Colorado
A full restoration of the stained glass windows was done on this church. Several windows that were missing had to be recreated using the same design and original glass. This was a year long project and windows were probably made by Phil’s great grandfather, Clarence Watkins. (2009-2010) This church was also done with Historic Denver, Spectrum GC, Slater-Paull and the Colorado Historical Society State Historical Fund Grant supported the project. Historic Denver and all involved received the History Colorado’s “Steven Hart” Award in 2010.

Holy Family Catholic Church – Ft. Collins, Colorado
A full restoration of the stained glass windows in the church.
This was a two year restoration project (2008-2010).

St. Francis Medical Center – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Restoration and resizing of century old stained glass window from the original St. Francis Chapel, Penrose Hospital, Colorado Springs, to be placed in Lobby of the new Medical Center (2008-2009).

Mission Hills Church, Highlands Ranch, CO
Removal of Watkins stained glass windows from old Sanctuary and place into newly built Sanctuary and consultation with carpenter for frame for the Clyde McDowell memorial window to be installed in new Sanctuary.

4 Winds Survival Project – Denver, Colorado
A full restoration of all non-religious stained glass windows in the church. This project was worked on with Historic Denver, Spectrum GC, Eidos Architects and the ColoradoHistorical Society State Historical Fund Grant for the funding of the project.
These windows were made by Frank Watkins. (2005-2006)

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church – Denver, Colorado
A full restoration of the fine European Antique tint Diamond windows. The restoration had to all be done in place off of scaffolding. The organ pipes had to be removed during the restoration. These windows were made by Frank Watkins, grandfather, the Vestibule was made by Phil Watkins, Sr and restorations by Phil Watkins, Jr.
Other repairs have been made by Phil on the front doors. (2006 & 2009)

Grace and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Major restoration of the St. Stephen and St. John windows (2012)
Restoration of 4 Sanctuary Clerestory windows (2011)
Assessment and evaluation of the stained glass in the church (2010)

Immanuel Lutheran Church – Greeley, Colorado
Repairs and resizing of original Watkins windows relocated in the church (2010–2011)

Broomfield United Methodist Church – Broomfield, Colorado
Fabrication of windows to match antique stained glass windows (2010-2011)
Restoration of century-old window for new Sanctuary.

Governor’s Mansion – Denver, Colorado
Restoration of leaded glass transom window over door (2004)
Various restoration of windows for past 40 years.

Hope Lutheran Church – Westcliffe, Colorado
Restoration of all of the stained glass windows in the church (2005).

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church – Holyoke, Colorado
Restoration of stained glass windows and installation of tempered glass (2004).

First Plymouth Congregational Church – Denver, Colorado
Restoration of many century old panels to be displayed in lightboxes in church (2005-2008).

St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church – Littleton, Colorado
Restoration of numerous stained glass windows (2006-2007).

John Paul II Pastoral Center (original St. Thomas Seminary) – Denver, Colorado
Restoration of the stained glass windows of the Sanctuary (1995-2004).
Creation of small Cross made of glass from Cathedral in Haiti for Sister’s of Mercy to deliver to Haiti (2012).

Fairmount Mausoleum – Denver, Colorado
Fabrication and restoration of stained glass made by the four generations of Watkins stained glass mastercraftsmen.
Restoration of Ivy Chapel, Upper Clerestory windows.

Cameron United Methodist Church – Denver, Colorado
Restoration of various stained glass windows during past 25 years.

Equitable Building – L.C. Tiffany Windows – Denver, Colorado
Restoration and removal & installation of the original Tiffany stained glass windows (1995-1996).

Berkley United Methodist Church – Denver, Colorado
Restoration of all of the stained glass windows (2004-2005).

St. Helena Catholic Church – Ft. Morgan, Colorado
Restoration of major altar windows (2004).

Steele Elementary School – Denver, Colorado
Restoration of the Kindergarten Room Nursery Rhyme stained glass windows (2002).
Windows were made by Frank Watkins.

First Congregational Church of Boulder – Boulder, Colorado
Restoration on the stained glass windows in entire church (2000).
Funding provided by a Colorado State Historical Fund Grant.

Central Presbyterian Church – Denver, Colorado
Total restoration of an entire church including removal and reinstallation of 100 windows. Original glass sent to factory to be matched and recreated (1988-89).

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church – Denver, Colorado
Restoration after 1989 hailstorm; removal, restoration and reinstallation (1990).

St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church – Denver, Colorado
Restoration of damaged stained glass window – repainted to match original (2011).

Church of the Ascension Episcopal Church – Denver, Colorado
Restoration of several stained glass windows due to vandalism.
Restoration of stained glass windows in the church (1993).

Rialto Theatre – Loveland, Colorado
Restoration of original large glass panel created for the Theatre (1989).

Colorado School of Mines – Golden, Colorado
Restoration including repainting of large century old Scottish Window donated to the college pending restoration. Commissioned via recommendation by the Rocky Mountain Conservation Society (1987).

First Unitarian Church – Denver, Colorado
Recreating and fabrication of original Rose Window made by Clarence Watkins damaged in fire. Original glass salvaged from fire was collected, duplicated and windows recreated to be exactly the same as the originals (1988).

Manitou Springs Congregational Church – Manitou Springs, Colorado
Restoration of entire church. Recreation of a stained glass window that was missing (1980-1986).

Rosemount Historical Home and Museum – Pueblo, Colorado
Major restoration of “Kingdoms of Nature” stained glass window (1988).

Order of Odd Fellows – Boulder, Colorado
Restoration of 2 very large windows including removal and reinstallation.

Montview Presbyterian Church – Denver, Colorado
Restoration of various leaded glass windows for the past 40 years.

Denver Press Club – Denver, Colorado
Restoration of various windows during past 30 years.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church – Cheyenne, Wyoming
Removal, repainting, straightening and reinstallation of century-old window (1998).

Larimer Square – Granite Building – Denver, Colorado
Restoration of 3 large Victorial scroll – Art glass windows that were severely damaged and bowed.

John Collins Methodist Church – Denver, Colorado
Restoration of various windows over past 40 years.

Calvary Episcopal Church – Golden, Colorado
Restoration of 6 Victorian Sanctuary stained glass windows
Repainting faces on all east-facing windows.

Wyoming State Capitol Building Skylight – Cheyenne, Wyoming
Restoration of Skylight over Senate.

Colorado State Capitol – Denver, Colorado
Removal of stained glass windows and reinstallation into the new Judicial Building Justice Steele Window.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church – Boulder, Colorado
Restoration of window in entire church due to vandalism. Windows were repainted, repaired and reinstalled back to original condition.

Christ the King Catholic Church – Denver, Colorado
Restoration of every window on east and south sides of the church due to vandalism.

Metropolitan Community Church – Denver, Colorado
Restoration of several large stained glass windows, repainting of several (1987).

St. Anthony’s of Padua Catholic Church – Sterling, Colorado
Restoration of many the stained glass windows of the church (1970’s).

First Church of Christ Science – Denver, Colorado
Restoration of church windows and skylight.

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church – Aurora, Colorado
Restoration of stained glass windows due to vandalism.

Iliff School of Theology Chapel, DU Campus – Denver, Colorado
Restoration of Upper Chapel stained glass.

Chappell House Windows – Denver, Colorado
Restoration of antique leaded beveled glass windows, circa 1898.

First Baptist Church – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Restoration of church stained glass windows.

Zion Baptist Church – Denver, Colorado
Total Restoration of stained glass windows (1960’s).

Denver Elks Club – Denver, Colorado
Removal of window out of “Punch Bowl”, west of Denver Post Building
Full restoration and reinstallation into present location.

Bonnie Brae Baptist Church – Denver, Colorado
Total restoration of large Sanctuary window. A workshop set up in basement to work on the finely painted window on site.

Phipps Tennis House – Denver, Colorado
Various restorations of windows damaged by vandalism.

H.A.W. Tabor House – Denver, Colorado
Restoration of stained glass windows.

Leonard and Leonard Real Estate – Denver, Colorado
Various restorations of stained glass for their homes over past 10 years.