By John Flood

JOE HU/TOWN CRIER The windows at Christ Episcopal Church in Los Altos, some as large as 12 feet wide and 34 feet high, were designed and created by Gabriel Loire, a world-renowned French artist who specialized in stained glass for churches.

Los Altos residents will have a unique opportunity next month to experience the area’s only major installation of contemporary stained glass. Christ Episcopal Church has scheduled a series of events throughout the month to honor the original members of the church who were the principal visionaries behind the idea to install stained glass at the church. The windows were installed in 1986.

“The spirit of this celebration is to honor the committee (who made this happen),” said Lauren Arnold, junior warden at the church. “We want to honor them and their vision.”

The windows, some as large as 12 feet wide and 34 feet high, were designed and created by Gabriel Loire, a world-renowned French artist who specialized in stained glass for churches. This was his last major work before his death in 1996.

“This is a modern work of art,” Arnold said. “It’s not typical church art. It’s a community art treasure in Los Altos.”

The church, built in the 1960s, had a long-term plan to install stained glass in its sanctuary that took 18 years to bring to fruition, Arnold said.

Once the decision was made to proceed in 1982, the process moved quickly.

Loire named his work at Christ Episcopal “The Windows of the Four Seasons.” He had been impressed by the vegetation of the local area and incorporated biblical trees of the four seasons as a unifying theme at the church.

October events commemorating the art include:

• 2 p.m. Sunday - “The Windows of Christ Church - Light and Sound.” Speakers will describe the seasons and symbols of the stained glass windows accompanied by organ works played by Dr. Ronald Swedlund. Free admission.

• 6-7:15 p.m. Oct. 4, 11 and 18 - Complimentary appetizers and beverages served, followed by music. Free admission.

• 6-10 p.m. Oct. 21 - Gala dinner. For reservations and ticket information, e-mail Lauren Arnold at laurenarnold@cs.com.

• 10:15 a.m. Oct. 22 - Blessing of the windows with the Rev. Dr. Malcolm Young, rector of Christ Church.

• 12 p.m. Oct. 25 - Picnic at Ventana School. For more information, e-mail Heather McClelland at heather@ccla.us.

• 10:15 a.m. Oct. 29 - Blessing of Ventana School with Young.

All events will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 1040 Border Road, Los Altos.

For more information, call 948-2151.