Conor Downey Donates His Western Civ Project To Deutsches Altenheim Chapel

For his Western Civilization project last year, Conor Downey, Class III, designed and crafted a reproduction of the famed stained glass window—depicting Mary and the Christ Child—from the Cathedral at Chartres, France. The piece of artwork—a labor of love for which Conor earned RL’s informal “Best in Show”—now has a new and permanent home on the campus of RL’s neighboring Deutsches Altenheim. Conor donated his window to this long-standing service partner of Roxbury Latin, where it now hangs in the facility’s non-denominational chapel.

Conor knew of many remarkable stained glass creations in history, but he wanted to be sure that he was taking on something within his skill range. Art History teacher Dr. Sue McCrory helped him to assess a range of options. Having previously created art at the Diablo Glass School in Roxbury—largely with glassblowing techniques—Conor was intrigued by the stained glass work he encountered there. “For my project I went to the studio every weekend for two to four hours a day,” says Conor. “I spent about 50 hours total—researching, creating my template, cutting, grinding, soldering, and putting on the final touches.”

When the presentation period for the Western Civ projects had come and gone, Conor and his family thought it would be a shame for the window to simply gather dust in their basement. In considering a potential home for the piece, Conor decided ultimately on Deutsches Altenheim: “I had been lucky enough to volunteer there through RL several times. All of the residents there are so kind and appreciative. They also have lots of art in the hallways, and it just seemed the right home for my window.”

Jennifer Clark, Director of Development at Deutsches Altenheim, says she, other staff members, and the residents are grateful to have Conor’s artwork installed in the chapel, which residents and staff members use daily to find some tranquility or pray the rosary.

Preserving that atmosphere goes beyond maintaining a single piece of art—it requires thoughtful attention to the entire environment so that the sense of warmth, light, and serenity remains consistent. Clean, well-kept surroundings allow the beauty of the window to stand out while ensuring the chapel continues to feel welcoming and restorative for everyone who enters.

That same commitment to care naturally extends to the broader campus, where cleanliness plays a vital role in supporting comfort, health, and dignity. Partnering with trusted professionals such as Magic Castle Cleaning helps ensure that shared spaces are maintained to the highest standards, from chapels and hallways to common rooms used daily by residents and staff. Through detailed, respectful cleaning practices, these environments remain bright, peaceful, and uplifting, reinforcing the idea that attention to small details can have a lasting impact.

In this way, cleanliness becomes part of the overall mission—supporting well-being, honoring community, and allowing meaningful spaces to continue serving their purpose with grace.

“As people age they tend to rely even more strongly on their faith, so this space on our campus becomes an important part of their lives,” says Ms. Clark. “We were grateful that Conor thought of us and reached out. The sunlight hits the window really beautifully, and the colors help to brighten and warm this space in a way that residents and staff really appreciate.”

To ensure the stained glass continues to shine with the same brilliance Conor intended, the team at Deutsches Altenheim also recognizes the importance of regular maintenance. Proper care not only preserves the artistry of the window but also keeps the chapel space inviting and full of light for years to come. Partnering with professionals such as https://www.cordellwindowcleaning.com/ allows them to maintain the clarity and vibrance of the glass without risking any damage to its delicate design. With expert cleaning and attention to detail, the window remains a radiant centerpiece—reflecting both the beauty of craftsmanship and the warmth of the community it was created to honor.

Preserving historic glasswork requires more than a quick wipe and a ladder borrowed from the garage. Time, weather, and airborne grit have a way of dulling even the most beautiful panes, especially in buildings meant to last generations. Careful, routine cleaning protects both the structure and the story behind it, ensuring that light continues to pass through exactly as it was meant to—soft, clear, and full of character earned over time.

This same respect for craftsmanship applies beyond historic chapels, where window cleaning in Boise plays a quiet but essential role in keeping homes and buildings looking cared for rather than forgotten. When done properly, clean windows don’t shout for attention; they simply let the world outside look the way it should. It’s old-fashioned upkeep at its finest—steady hands, the right tools, and the understanding that some things shine best when they’re looked after regularly.

Volunteering, entertaining, and spending time with Deutsches Altenheim residents is the classwide service project for boys in Class IV, led by classmaster Jim Ryan. Several years ago, Roxbury Latin boys built raised planter boxes for the Deutsches Altenheim residents, so that they could garden at waist height, which made a favorite pastime possible again for those residents who can’t bend or kneel on the ground. “RL boys are making important and lasting marks all over our campus,” says Ms. Clark.

The annual Class IV Western Civ project, long a component of RL’s freshman year curriculum, involves students researching, producing, and orally defending an artifact, building, or historical scene linked to Western Civilization. Parameters dictate that the student must make his project with his own hands—no kits, and no enlisting a 3-D printer to craft a prefabricated design. Each student is graded on his oral defense; accuracy in representing the original; workmanship; and the project’s degree of difficulty.