Preserving the Light: Historic Stained Glass Finds New Life in President’s Office at Lamar State College Orange

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When visitors step into the office of President Wendy Elmore in the Ron E. Lewis Building, they are now drawn immediately to the colorful glow filtering through the windows. What they may not realize at first glance is that the vibrant stained glass on display is more than decoration. It is a living piece of Orange history, carefully preserved from the 1913 First Baptist Church building that now serves as Lamar State College Orange’s Student Success Center.

During the renovation of the historic church, several original stained-glass windows were thoughtfully removed and protected. Rather than allowing them to remain in storage, college leaders began exploring ways to keep their story visible on campus. The idea took shape through conversations among colleagues who recognized both the beauty and the historical significance of the pieces.

“A couple of my colleagues suggested that I consider using the stained-glass windows as some sort of decoration around campus and/or my office,” Dr. Elmore explained. “There were several that had been retained and well preserved that were perfectly suited to showcase.”

What followed was not simply an interior design decision, but a project rooted in community pride, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the past.

A Bridge Between Past and Future

The former First Baptist Church building has long been a landmark in Orange. Today, as the Student Success Center, it serves as a hub where students receive advising, financial aid support, and other essential services. Preserving elements of the original structure was a priority throughout the renovation process, and the stained-glass windows quickly became symbols of that commitment.

Displaying the windows, Dr. Elmore noted, allows the college to honor the building’s legacy while celebrating the partnerships that made the transformation possible. The project reflects the strong relationship between Lamar State College Orange, the Stark Foundation, and the broader community that supported the restoration. “The stained-glass windows are a visual reminder of LSCO’s choice to bridge Orange’s past to the future with the new Student Success Center,” President Elmore said.

For students walking through the Student Success Center each day, that bridge is more than symbolic. It represents opportunity and new beginnings rooted in a century of shared history.

From Storage to Showcase

The journey from storage to showcase began shortly after Dr. Elmore assumed the presidency. As updates were made to her office, conversations with Assistant Vice President Patty Collins and the Physical Plant staff revealed that four preserved stained-glass pieces from the church renovation were available.

Recognizing their historical and artistic value, the team began exploring how to incorporate them into the space. Initially, the plan was modest: restore and display a single window.

That responsibility fell to Wendell Callaway, a passionate craftsman with a knack for antiques and stained glass. His connection to the project was also personal. He is the father of Kristin Walker, Assistant Vice President for Statewide Partnerships at LSCO.

“The first goal was to give the stained glass a thorough cleaning on each side,” Callaway said. “The cleaning made an amazing difference in the vibrant colors of the stained glass.”

Years of storage and exposure had dulled the frame, so Callaway carefully sanded damaged areas and applied fresh paint, restoring the pieces to its original brilliance. The transformation was striking.
What began as a single-window restoration soon evolved into a larger vision.

Letting the Light In

When the first restored window was installed in the president’s office, its impact was immediate. Sunlight illuminated the bold hues of orange and green, colors that coincidentally mirror the college’s own identity. “The vibrant colors of the stained-glass windows really accentuate the traditional LSCO colors of orange and green so beautifully,” Dr. Elmore said. “They are bold, just like LSCO’s vision to transform lives.”

Seeing the effect of that single piece prompted a new idea: rather than displaying just one window, why not restore and showcase all four? Today, all four windows hang prominently in President Elmore’s office, Each of the large office windows facing south toward the Sabine River features a piece of the historic stained glass, creating a space that reflects both leadership and legacy.

A Story That Belongs to the Community

At its heart, the stained-glass project is a story about stewardship, history, of relationships, and of shared purpose. It highlights the dedication of staff members, community partners, and a skilled craftsmen who worked together to preserve something meaningful.

For Kristin Walker, the project represents more than a professional milestone. It is also a reminder of the pride her father takes in bringing history back to life. “He was more than excited to bring the stained glass back to life and make it shine bright,” Walker shared, noting his lifelong appreciation for antique art pieces. That excitement is now reflected in every beam of colored light that passes through the restored glass.

More Than Decoration

The stained-glass windows now displayed in the Ron E. Lewis Building serve as daily reminders of the college’s mission and the community it serves. They connect generations. In many ways, the project embodies the spirit of Lamar State College Orange: honoring tradition while preparing students for the future.

And as sunlight continues to shine through the restored glass, it tells a story that is both timeless and uniquely local. A story of preservation, partnership, and the enduring power of community.