Our History

When considering the history of Millwood church, stained glass is an important topic and is certainly the appropriate background for the Centennial logo.

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In 1955, the current sanctuary building was dedicated, and during construction, it was envisioned that the side windows and the large Narthex panel would ultimately be filled with stained glass. Over the years, memorial and honorary contributions were made to the stained glass fund. By the late ‘90s, a Stained Glass committee formed, representing both the Worship & Music and the Memorials committees. Headed by Helen Cooley and Shirley Richner, with the help of Pastor Bill McIvor, it began researching options for stained glass artists and construction.

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They sought recommendations from various national sources, and the results gave Millwood some inspiring news. Those sources recommended Whitworth University art professor Spike Grosvner, here in Spokane, a nationally recognized stained glass designer and teacher. Spike, it turned out, had deep roots with Millwood Church. He was a foster child adopted by a family in our church. During his time at West Valley High School, he lived in a house across the street from the original building. He later joked that because he once broke a church window with a stray baseball, it was appropriate that he rebuild it.

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Spike and the Stained Glass committee worked with design concepts, and by September of 2003, final designs were approved by committees and sessions, and work began on the first two window panels. Spike’s former student, Susan Kim, owner of Reflections Glass here in the valley, was the assembly artist to actually build the glass windows. Another tweak to local history: Susan’s father was the minister of Opportunity Presbyterian Church in the late 80s, when she attended University High School.

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These first two panels were dedicated in June 2004, with additional panels installed the following year, completing the south wall. The first two panels on the north wall were installed in April 2006, and the remaining two north panels by June 2006. These windows are not the only glass accomplishments in our history. As you leave the sanctuary, note the “music” panels over the doors. These were presented in honor of Michael Bulley, another Millwood “prodigy” who was our organist for 25 years. And note the stained glass panels over the main entry doors in the lobby, given in memory of Milton Granger Rawlings by his family when the building was remodeled in 1989. Also, three memorial stained-glass windows were installed in the chapel in 1994 and 1995.

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As we celebrate our hundred-year history of glass at Millwood, we look forward to completing the last element of that ambitious project – installing the large Narthex window. This window will become a major tribute to Spike Grosvner and Susan Kim, both of whom passed away in the fall of 2019. This window will be the last installation of these two great artists. Susan made detailed preparations in the event she could not complete this window, and her sons, Thomas and Nicholas, have assured Millwood that the Narthex window will be constructed and installed in 2020.

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As you admire these walls, take a moment to reflect on the history, the beauty, and the spiritual symbolism of these magnificent windows.