It's all in the family for stained-glass artisans in Rochester

Published: 2004-05-04

ROCHESTER , N.Y. (CNS) -- When the sun shines through the stained-glass windows at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester, it illuminates the story of Valerie O'Hara's family. O'Hara is owner and director of Pike Stained Glass Studios, which is restoring seven stained-glass windows from the cathedral during its renovation. O'Hara's great-uncle, William Pike, started the company in 1908, and the studio created the windows for the Rochester Diocese's mother church. O'Hara bought the studio from her father and Pike's nephew, James O'Hara, and has run it since 1987. Pike Studios has also created stained-glass windows for numerous other Catholic churches in the diocese. O'Hara's family has had a hand in stained-glass windows in numerous Protestant churches as well, and she said she enjoys working with sacred art. "It's very inspirational working with clergy," she said. "It's a beautiful marriage of art and commerce where you can actually make a living creating and making and doing the art that you love."

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