Charles Z. Lawrence

Noted American stained glass artist, and longtime Mt. Airy resident, Charles Z. Lawrence died on January 1st, 2019, he was 83. Lawrence, who began his career in 1956 as an apprentice to master craftsman Rudolph Henrick Beunz, was known for a bold, gothic revival style best typified by five windows in the Washington National Cathedral. In the 1960s while attending design school at Pratt Institute, in New York City, Lawrence worked in the glass department of the Rambusch Decorating Studio where he perfected skills in glass painting and color selection. In 1968 he went to work for the Willets Stained Glass studio in Chestnut Hill, where he went on complete prestigious commissions for the National Cathedral, the Temple of the Latter Day Saints, and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, as well as the University of Rochester, and Penn State University. In the 1980s Lawrence established his own studio in Mt. Airy, completing additional commissions for the National Cathedral, as well as works for the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, St. Mary’s at the Cathedral, Andorra PA, the Burlington Bridge Commission in NJ, and the Gore-Tex Manufacturing Co., in Cherry Hill, NJ. Charles Z. Lawrence is survived by his daughter and son-in law Vanessa and Austin Watts of Brooklyn NY, daughter and son-in law Tracy and David Cangelosi of Chicago IL, and cousin James Cannon of Frenchtown NJ. A memorial service for Lawrence will take place on Saturday January 12th, 10 am, at St. Mary’s at the Cathedral in Andorra PA. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Keystone Care Hospice, 8765 Stenton Ave, Wyndmoor, PA 19038.