As a fundraiser to repair and preserve the church's stained-glass windows, Parkesburg United Methodist Church, 411 Main St., Parkesburg, will have a spaghetti dinner on Friday, June 21. There will be seatings at 5 and 7 p.m., and diners may take out their meals or eat on-site.

The menu will include spaghetti with meatballs, salad, rolls with butter and beverages. The meal will be homemade by church members, and the dinner will be available in the church's downstairs fellowship hall.

According to Karen Holmes, a member of the church's United Methodist in Action (UMIA) committee, the church has 15 large stained-glass windows that depict Jesus' life and resurrection. Most windows were given in honor of, or in memory of, church members.

The windows were installed in 1870 when the church was built, and some were added when the stone edifice was constructed in 1921. "The colors are still very bright," Holmes said. "Our stained-glass windows are very beautiful."

She noted that many couples have requested to have their weddings in the church because of the window's designs and their visual messages. 

In addition, in the past, pastor Mark Beideman has held a sermon series titled "The Stories in the Stained-Glass Windows," based on the images featured in the windows. For example, the windows depict Jesus' birth in the manger, Jesus as a young man and Jesus as a shepherd holding a sheep.

Approximately 30 years ago, all of the stained glass windows were covered with acrylic glass on the outside to protect them. Over the years, the outdoor wooden window sills have been painted and repaired many times.

Now, the church plans to wrap the outside window sills in aluminum, which will seal them. "They are redoing the outside window sills because they are getting (worn) because of the weather," noted Holmes.

For now, the church plans to wrap the outdoor window sills that face the south side of the church, as well as two windows on the east side of the church. The rest of the window sills will be covered in the future.

Those who attend the upcoming spaghetti dinner will be invited to visit the church sanctuary to view the windows.

Tickets for the spaghetti dinner may be ordered in advance by texting or calling Holmes at 717-380-3098. Tickets will also be available at the door. There will be separate prices for adults and children ages 3 to 12.   

To learn more about church activities, individuals may join the "Parkesburg United Methodist Church" Facebook group or contact the church at 610-857-9422.