St. Ann Catholic Church in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, partnered with Scottish Stained Glass to transform their 1970s-era sanctuary into a bright and uplifting space that reflects both faith and beauty. Built in 1975, the church originally featured dark wood paneling and green-and-yellow stained glass that cast a heavy, muted tone across the interior. Father Kevin Drew—who had previously collaborated with Martin Faith on another parish—reached out once again to help breathe new life into St. Ann’s through thoughtful use of light and design. Working closely with designer Sarah Marai, the vision centered on removing the dated, dark glass and replacing it with custom stained glass that would illuminate the sanctuary while introducing rich layers of theological symbolism. The final design beautifully embodies the church’s desire for verticality—drawing the eye upward, just as Jesus lifted His gaze toward heaven.

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 focal point of the renovation is the stunning St. Anne window, created to honor the church’s patron saint. Because the sanctuary did not have a natural window in the desired location, our team developed an innovative solution: a hand-painted stained glass panel mounted on the wall and illuminated from behind with LEDs to replicate the warm glow of daylight. This approach allowed the artwork to function as both a symbolic and architectural centerpiece within the space. The design incorporates a garden and trellis motif, reflecting St. Anne’s role as the nurturing, maternal support for the Virgin Mary—the “Mystical Rose.” Across the remaining windows, small red glass accents represent the royal and mystical bloodline of Christ, unifying the entire installation with meaningful, theologically rooted symbolism.

The renovation of St. Ann’s Catholic Church is a powerful example of how thoughtful stained glass design can transform a worship space—both visually and spiritually. The new windows bathe the sanctuary in gentle, uplifting light, creating a peaceful, heavenly atmosphere that invites prayer, reflection, and reverence. By blending traditional symbolism with modern craftsmanship, Scottish Stained Glass restored beauty and meaning to the space, helping parishioners reconnect with their faith in a renewed and inspiring way. The result is a sanctuary that celebrates sacred art, light, and devotion in perfect harmony.