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The Call to Arms, Assembly of Remembrance and Dawn of Peace are
among the first major works of modern stained and leaded glass windows
in Canadian history. Honouring the memory of Canadians who lost
their lives in World War I, they are powerful compositions of striking
figures, surrounded by coats of arms and emblems in jewel-like colours.
Having stood watch over the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower
since it opened in 1927, the figures were in need of major conservation
and repair work to preserve them for future generations to view.
In the summer of 2001, all three windows were removed so skilled
conservators could make a stencil record of each one's exact layout
and record the damage to be repaired.
The windows were cleaned and cracked glass was repaired or replaced,
as was the window lead holding the glass segments in place. Any
structural weak points were reinforced and some repairs were also
made to the stonework surrounding the windows.
The central lantern over the main altar was restored and adjusted
to enable it to illuminate the entire space brightly for special
events, or be low and quiet to maintain the respectful atmosphere
appropriate for those whose lives are honoured in the chamber.
The restoration of the three stained glass windows was completed
at the conservator's studio and two of the windows - the Assembly
of Remembrance and the Dawn of Peace - were reinstalled during the
summer of 2002. Two previously repaired stained glass windows belonging
to the adjacent antechamber were reinstalled as well.
The remaining Memorial Chamber stained glass window - the Call
to Arms - was reinstalled in the summer of 2003, with the assistance
of heritage masons, the Heritage Conservation Program and Parliamentary
Precinct Directorate project management.
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