Tiffany Town

Cleveland has been called many names over the years, however I doubt  anyone has ever heard Cleveland called the above name.  Believe it or not, Cleveland has the right to this name, given the number and uniqueness of Louis Comfort Tiffany windows and designs in the city.  Cleveland’s home to the one of the most complete buildings ever designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and literally scores of windows from the Tiffany Studios.  Few  other cities have such rich treasures.   

Louis Comfort Tiffany is seen as one of America’s greatest artist and has been called the Monet of the glass world.   His use of new techniques for making glass made him famous during his lifetime.  He and his studios were well known for his stained glass windows and lamps, jewelry, paintings, enamels, and metal work.   Annually Tiffany Studios annually produced over 30,000 pieces, however there were only approximately 7,000 windows produced.  In recent years his lamps and windows have sold for ever inflating prices as more and more individuals begin to appreciate the quality and uniqueness of his work.   Unfortunately Tiffany windows were not always prized and during the last century Cleveland lost many of these treasures.  The good news is Cleveland still benefits from having as many of these treasures as we do. 

Cleveland was initially a small mostly agricultural town however by the time the Erie Canal was finished it became a hub of intellectual, artistic and commercial interest.  After the Civil War the steel, shipping, oil and other interests began to grow quickly. By 1880, according to the US census, Cleveland had more millionaires, than any city in America.  Euclid Ave, Bratenahl, and surrounding areas were alive with the likes of the Mather’s Hanna’s, Marshall’s, Payne’s, Southworth’s, Rockefeller’s and many many others.  Fortunately these early leaders invested their wealth in Cleveland.  Today Cleveland contains many world class cultural and intellectual institutions which were originally created and funded by these civic minded, worldly and intellectual leaders.  

Fortunately for Clevelanders, Cleveland’s hey-day coincided with Tiffany’s rise and zenith of creativity and recognition.  Clevelanders purchased many of these windows and luckily many of them are still here. 

One of his most complete interior designs resides here in Cleveland; Wade Memorial Chapel at Lakeview cemetery.  Now open to the public, it is a must see for any culturally minded Clevelander.  It is one of the most beautiful structures anywhere on earth. 

Immeasurable thanks to Mary Krohmer, Marge Wilson and Wayne Bifano.  Each assisted me and helped make this article much more interesting and complete. 

Wade Memorial Chapel is one of a handful interiors completely designed and decorated by Louis Comfort Tiffany.  It is said he was such a perfectionist that while the chapel was finished in 1900, he continued to make changes and it did not open until 1901.  

Tiffany designed and decorated the interior of only a handful of buildings during his creative period.  Most Clevelanders know of Wade Chapel and its beauty, but how many Clevelanders know he also designed the interior of a home for Howard Hinds.  The home was built in Euclid Hts in 1900 and it is said Tiffany decorated the entire house in a manner similar to how Tiffany had previously decorated the White House.  It is hoped this house is still standing and its decorating has not been remodeled by some well meaning interior designer.  Fortunately Mr. Hind’s daughter donated a landscape window to the Cleveland Museum of Art.  This window was not found on the CMA website and hopefully it will be added soon. 

Below is a list of the other interiors designed by Tiffany.  Seeing how few structures Tiffany designed you began to realize how fortunately Cleveland is to have to at least one interior still standing which was designed by Tiffany.  

There is the 1893 Columbia Exhibition interior which currently resides in the Morse Museum in Winterpark, Florida.  Additionally, there is the Willard Chapel in Auburn, NY and the church chapel in the St. Michael Church in New York city at 99^th and Amsterdam Ave.  There may be one or two more, however that fact there is less than a half dozen, you can begin to appreciate Wade Chapel even more. 

 It has been written that at least 14 churches, three office buildings and a number of private homes and private mausoleums have Tiffany windows.  Unfortunately no one has ever taken the time to catalogue each of them.  I have attempted to find a few and have listed them below. 

First Unitarian Church at 82^nd and Euclid.  I start with this because it is an example of what can happen if we do not take care of Cleveland’s treasures.  Four of these windows were sold and four were stolen.  Maybe one day they will return and it’s certainly hoped no other Tiffany treasures leave this town.     “Angel of Resurrection” and “Angel of Victory” were two of the windows removed from this church.    These windows were donated by the Southworth/Goff family. 

St. Paul’s Church on East 40^th and Euclid.  There were 9 windows listed for this church.  Unfortunately when the church moved, these were removed and put in storage and while in storage, the windows were lost.  Some of the names of the families donating these windows include, King, Bolton, Gibbs, Norton-Bolton and Scott.  It’s unfortunate Cleveland has lost these treasures. 

Euclid Ave Baptist Church, also known as Rockefeller’s church.  There were two windows in this church unfortunately this church was has been torn down and it is uncertain what happened to these windows. 

Church of the Covenant (aka Euclid Ave. Presbyterian Church) at 11205 Euclid Avenue.  It has the “Jesus, the Good Shepherd”, in the south gallery in the Covenant’s building.  This window was originally place in the Beckwith Church when it was built in 1892.  It was given in the memory of Thomas Sterling Beckwith (1821-1876) an elder at the Second Presbyterian.   When this church was closed, the window as moved to the Church of the Covenant.   

Second Presbyterian Church.  This church merged with Church of the Covenant, however it is uncertain what happen to its two Tiffany windows.  They were named, “The Holy Spirit” and “Our Savior”.  

Old Stone Church, Public Square.  – The Tiffany windows were dedicated in 1885, including “The Recording Angel”  window.  Though the church was first built in 1834, the current structure dates to 1855.  Noted architect Charles F. Schweinfurth worked on the reconstruction of the church after a fire in 1884.  As the windows were dedicated in 1885, he was probably responsible for bringing the Tiffany windows to this church.  He was later architect for other churches and buildings in Cleveland and many of these also feature Tiffany windows. 

Harkness Chapel is on the campus of Case University.  It was constructed in 1902 and depending on how they are counted there are 8 to 10 Tiffany windows in the chapel.  Some are subtle and subdued and others are more colorful and exciting.  The Chapel was designed by Mr. Schweinfurth and he most likely is the one who suggested these windows be installed.  Mr. Richard Baznik, provided considerable insight into these windows and is a great resource for Case University historical information. 

Also discovered during the research for this article, a previously unknown Tiffany bronze is on the Case campus.  It is in the Adelbert Hall, above a fireplace.  It is known as the Pope Tablet as Pope had been a trustee and had financed many renovations in this building.  It was with Mr. Baznik assistance that this discovery was made. 

Trinity Cathedral has one Tiffany window and it is from Grace church.  The name of the window is “Blessed Are the Pure in Heart”.  Fortunately when Grace church was torn down the window was removed and moved to Trinity Cathedral sometime in the 1950’s. 

Pilgrim Congregational UCC in Tremont.  Has two Tiffany windows flanking the organ.  These were most likely installed when the church was built in 1894.  Both windows feature Saint Cecelia.

Epworth-Euclid Methodist Church (aka Oil Can church), University Circle.  A window was moved to this church from the 1890’s church on the corner of Prospect & E55th.  It is currently in pieces and being researched to determine if it is by Tiffany studios or some other maker.  Mr. Bill Anderson was helpful with this insight and is researching this window.  He encourages everyone to see the other beautiful windows inside this sanctuary.  As a side note, the marathoners do appreciate their organist’s contribution to their annual efforts.

There are a couple of other Cleveland churches which may have Tiffany windows in them.  There is more research needed to determine if these churches still have their Tiffany windows and if they do, let’s hope they do not leave the city. 

There is a smaller private mausoleum in Cleveland which may have a number of Tiffany windows.  This also has not yet been researched.   

Cleveland Institute of Art had ornamental Tiffany windows in their old building.  It is not known what happened to the windows when they moved to their current building. 

Rockefeller building had Tiffany ornamental skylights and it is hoped these are still in place. 

Cleveland Museum of Art contains at least one Tiffany window and this one can be seen on their web site.  The window was originally installed in a house located on the present site of the First Church of Christ Scientist on Overlook Road in Cleveland.

There is another significant window in Cleveland which at least needs to be mentioned.  It is certainly largest stained glass window in Cleveland area and is 60 or 61 feet in diameter, making it roughly 2,800 square feet.  It is also one of the most beautiful windows anywhere.  It is in the old Cleveland Trust Rotunda on the corner of E 9^th and Euclid.  Why is everyone arguing over the Bruer tower, when we should be discussing how best to use this cultural gem?   The architect for this building was the famed George B. Post & Sons.  He was also the architect for the New York Stock Exchange building.  You can see the resemblance. 

Frederick Goff was the first bank president of Cleveland trust and set about building a world-class building.  He chose to compete with the beauty and opulence of the Union Commerce Bank lobby, with a stained glass window ceiling.  I have been told many times by members of the Goff family that this is a Tiffany window.  Mr. Goff  knew of Mr. Tiffany as he and his wife, Frances Southworth Goff, had commissioned windows for the Unitarian church.   Speaking with John Winterich III, whose firm worked on the window in 1979 and again in the 1990’s, he did extensive research and found it may not be a Tiffany window.  As Tiffany did designs and had others produce the windows, further research is needed to determine who designed and produced this window of 963 sections and over 5,000 pieces of glass.  It can at least be said, it is a Tiffany après window. 

I need to thank some of the helpful individuals who assisted me in the research for this article.  These individuals are great references for Tiffany works if anyone needs assistance, I recommend each highly. 

Arlie Sulka of Lillian Nassau, LLC was an immeasurable source of knowledge and  assisted me immensely with identifying the Tiffany windows in Cleveland and the Tiffany structures around the country.  She has travel to Cleveland to assist institutions in recognizing, appraising and preserving their Tiffany windows.   Arlie has been working with Tiffany pieces for many years and can be seen on Antiques Roadshow .  

Richard Marcello of Tiffany windows.com, assisted me with relative value of the windows and let me know there were roughly 7,000 windows produced.  Richard is the market maker for Tiffany windows and if Cleveland’s lost windows are to be found, Richard is probably the one who could assist.  He is putting together a show of Tiffany windows and has stops booked at the Smithsonian and the Getty Museum.  Might be nice if the show stopped in Cleveland.  

Chris Ohla of Century Antiques assisted me with knowledge of local buildings and insights on the local stained glass market.  His expertise on stained glass lamps was also much appreciated.

John Winterich III and his firm John W. Winterich and Associates, for his extensive  insights and research on the Cleveland Trust ceiling window.   Also for helping preserve this cultural gem.

Janet Lipstreu from Whitney Stained Glass Studio, Inc. in Cleveland was also most helpful in understanding the Cleveland Tiffany window landscape.  She assisted me in locating different windows in the area.  The Whitney studio is currently restoring the windows at the Old Stone Church. 

In conclusion…

Some economic studies show tourism as the largest industry in the world.  As Cleveland looks for new economic opportunities, this is an area which can be easily expanded upon; its almost a no brainer.  Please remember John D. Rockefeller summered here for decades even after he “officially” moved to New York.    I have long been a fan of cultural tourism and bringing individuals to Cleveland for cultural weekends at the art museum, the orchestra and the other intellectual and cultural gems of University Circle and surrounding areas.  Maybe even some day we’ll have a Tiffany Tour as part of Cleveland Cultural Tour getaway package.