Povey Glass

What many of downtown Portland's historic churches have in common is the awesome beauty of stained glass windows designed and created by the famed Povey Brothers Art Glass Works, which operated in Portland from 1888 to 1929.

For generations the Povey family had been glass artists in England. David Povey followed most closely in his ancestor’s footsteps. He spent five years at Cooper Union Institute of Art in New York City and traveled throughout Europe, studying stained glass. He was the company’s chief designer.

David Povey's ornate early designs were Victorian, similar in style to Tiffany glass. In later years he was influenced by the simpler style of Frank Lloyd Wright.

In Portland, examples of Povey art glass can be found in the First Presbyterian Church, the First Baptist Church, the First Congregational United Church of Christ, St. James Lutheran Church, The Old Church, the Pittock Mansion, Huber’s Restaurant, and some homes in the Irvington District.

The most remarkable display of Povey glass is at the First Christian Church. Originally, the church contained 118 art glass windows designed by David Povey. Some of the original windows were put in storage after renovations. In 1999 the congregation published a book of color photographs of Povey’s creations, "Stained Glass Windows of First Christian Church."