Greg Ross, bottom, and David Allison remove a panel from one of 14 faceted stained glass windows in the former Alleyne Memorial AME Zion Church, which is being converted into a residence in Chattanooga’s Southside.
David Allison helps remove panels from a stained-glass window at the former Alleyne Memorial AME Zion Church.Greg Ross didn’t hesitate when he got a call from the owner of a dumpster company who told him workers were throwing away glass mosaic windows from a downtown church.
“I told him, ‘Don’t touch anything. I will be right there.'”
Ross owns Estate of Confusion, “The Original Kewl Art Stuff Store,” on Main Street. He’s spent his career collecting old stuff people no longer want or need.
After negotiating with the new owner of the Alleyne Memorial AME Zion Church on Williams Street, who plans to convert it to a private home, a deal was struck: Ross could have the windows, but he’d have to remove them.
Work began in early July, and Ross says it is taking about a day and half to remove each window. Twelve of the 14 windows are being taken out, while the front two will be left intact.