Windows may pay for ministry

ELIZABETH, N.J. -- Financially strapped St. John's Episcopal Church, a New Jersey landmark since 1706, is contemplating selling the five 10-feet-tall Tiffany stained glass windows that have adorned its edifice since the turn of the last century to replenish the endowment that funds the church's social services.

The historic church has seen its membership dwindle to 100 or so, and often more people attend the church's free Sunday meal than its 10 a.m. worship service. Donations from the congregation cover the utilities and little else.

"They're beautiful windows, but they're also an asset that we have," said the Rev. Joseph Parrish, the church's minister since 1989. "Every window could keep us in business another two, three, four, five years."

But that may be overly optimistic. While the windows have been valued for insurance purposes at close to $500,000 each, experts say overtly religious Tiffany windows generally sell for less than $100,000.

"The big question is once we've raised $1 million, $2 million and that finishes in three to five years, what happens next?" asked Terrence Smith, a member of the vestry. He is hoping for success in a membership drive now in progress.

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