Stained Glass Windows Stolen From Historic Pittsburgh-Area Church

PITTSBURGH, PA - Stained glass windows have been stolen from a 126-year-old old Braddock church and police are asking antique and salvage dealers to be on the lookout from them.

A passerby on Thursday alerted police to the theft at the former First United Presbyterian Church on Parker Avenue, according to Laura Zinski, chief executive officer of the Mon Valley Initiative, the nonprofit community development organization that owns the building.

According to the MVI, the 13 panes of glass, ranging from roughly 2-by-2 feet to 3-by-2 feet, have different designs. Several depict a large lily (or fleur-de-lis) set against a background of yellow- or cream-colored hexagons, with a colorful border. Others are yellow- or cream-colored hexagons.

Zinski said her organization is concerned that the windows may be sold to an antique dealer or architectural salvage dealer for re-use in a house or business. The purchasers may not realize they are in possession of stolen property.

Built in 1893, the church closed its doors in 2017.Some of its fixtures were donated by steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and most of the historic features remain intact.
MVI is advancing plans to transform it into housing, while retaining much of the church’s present appearance --- including the windows.

Anyone with information leading to the whereabouts of the stolen windows is asked to call Braddock police at 412-351-5400, or Mon Valley Initiative at 412-464-4000.

Photo via Mon Valley Initiative.

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