How can I create a great looking window above our church entry door?

Perfect place for some stained glass. But that is an expensive piece to commission. I would paint to look like stained glass. Go with blues, greens and earth tones. Flip through adult coloring books for a pattern that would be pretty and enlarge on a photo copier to to use as a guide to paint.

Hi Delores, Based on what you said there IS glass in the window. Why not use glas gems to create a beautiful mural of some sort. You could plan it out on paper first using 1/4" scale squares to equal one glass gem, for instance, against the measurements of what you have to work with in the window. Here aer some suggestions so you know what I am talking about, and then you could think up one for yourself or find one online or just use one of the ones you see in my suggestions. The back of the wood would be hidden and if there is any way to string some lighting along the top of it then the colcored glass stones would be illuminated to be seen insdie the church.

https://www.google.com/search?q=GLASS+GEMS+ON+WINDOW&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjZ96u0yevVAhVq0YMKHcj6DeQQsAQIJQ&biw=1366&bih=638

https://www.google.com/search?q=GLASS+GEMS+ON+WINDOW++murals&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiVy6yDyuvVAhVL8CYKHYIoDOUQsAQIJQ&biw=1366&bih=638

Purchase black letters + numbers that have glue on the back and spell out the verse in John 3:16.

Hello Delores! The link I am providing shows a bottle being colored with food coloring. The effect is beautuful and allows the light to shine through. You could use this same method on your window. If you don't want to mix your own colors, paint for glass can also be used. Check it out!

http://www.hometalk.com/diy/decorate/rooms/faux-stained-glass-wine-bottle-using-food-coloring-30052555

Make a template from paper of the shape of the window then trace that shape onto cardboard, that add fabric your your choic and tack it in.

how about some rice paper? Paint it or poke holes in it in a pattern for light to show through? Press flowers or colored paper between sheets of wax paper, iron to seal, use clear epoxy or rubber cement to have it cling to existing glass.

Trace the window shape, cut out a piece of plywood to match, use paint in epoxy to dribble on and make a beautiful sort of marbled look! You can add some glitter and/or glitter paint for sparkle if preferred. Also, could they use plexi instead of that piece of wood on the outside? Would still provide support but would let the light in; just a thought.

Can't you remove the wood that is on the outside of the glass? Is this an actual church? If so is there a committee which would have to decide? With no light shining through, nothing you do will look pretty. Isn't it possible to still have a wooden "frame" that would leave the glass open to light? Maybe if you took a picture from the outside, it would be easier to understand what could be done.

you are more than welcome Delores. Your idea of the light above the design is good for more light inside the church but it won't enhance the design of the window itself. Maybe the best thing to do would be to insert white paper between the window and the wooden back. Simple is always better. Good luck!

Thanks to all the wonderful suggestions I have somethings I can use for this window design! When I finish it, I will post it for everyone to see. Thanks again to each of those who shared with me!! God bless you all!

Find a beautiful photo, enlarge it section it to place in the divisions, with lighting behind.

Since there is a recess, I would try to pull it forward, and make it removable. That way you can put LED strips behind it.

Maybe some of these businesses in your area can help you.

https://www.manta.com/c/mx4x5tt/ccs-led-lighting

https://www.ledcityusa.com/product-category/indoor/strip-lighting/

http://www.xkglow.com/category_s/85.htm

https://www.angieslist.com/companylist/us/tx/athens/electrical.htm

Keep it simple. Buy some window film used for privacy. They sell it at craft stores, home depot. It is totally removeable. I would pick a frosted white, but they have colors too. You could apply it to either side of the glass. i.e. from the inside of the chapel. Vinyl lettering might even stick to these for a saying. Putting some sort of a light behind it would be very pretty. I just don't know about the electrical.

I have seen stained glass window film at Home Depot and craft stores. It comes in all different sizes and can be cut to fit. Backlights would make it show up really well. There are also sites on line that sell window film in all sizes and designs.

I found this project, DIY lace privacy window covering, on Pinterst. It appears to be a simple and inexpensive project. I love the look. The following is the link to the project: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/42713896441859063/

I hope that you like it.

Stained glass would be perfect, beautiful, expensive and would not look tacky. My husband does some now and then.

Hi Delores. You could use Elmer's Glue with black paint to make lead lines. Fill in with your choice ( paint, nail polish or use different coloured basket wrap) and create your own stained glass.

You could paint the "outside" of the glass in WHITE or SKY BLUE to block out that wood, then do painted stained glass or whatever on the inside, if you want. Just blocking that out would make it look better. You could also add string lights outside and the glow would show inside. If you don't want a flat paint, you can also put paint in Elmer's glue (as Pam said) and dot it on the glass with a brush or your fingers to give it texture and look more like old glass - in one color or several.

There are several patterns that I found in Home Depot, when I needed a privacy on a pocket door, and I think it could fill your space easily. It peels and sticks, so if you decide to change patterns, or want a change of "scenery" it would be helpful.

Please share with us what you ended up doing!

Hello Your church's over the door.. window is nice with half sun shaped in the bottom middle of the window...and another half trim over the half sun....rainbow colors would be nice..pale colors by the sun then deeper colors over the pale color.....paint all the trim gold like sunbeams. I saw the light on the inside your church ceiling....leave that light on.....anybody ..outside..could see your beautiful window when they come to your church.

You could use Glass Stain by DecoArt or something similar.

https://www.amazon.com/DecoArt-DASK270-Glass-Stains-Sample/dp/B003ULND78

I can't wait to see what you did to the window!