Window Maker

by Charles W. Allen

The author shares his experiences and know how as he builds the windows for the restored Nauvoo Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Using personal journal entries Charles W. Allen takes the reader along as the rebuilding of the temple is announced, to reactions from townspeople, to the day-by-day challenges presented to someone who desires to create a perfect product for the House of the Lord. This book is less about the mechanics of making windows using square peg joinery as would have been done in the 1840's and more about facing difficult challenges, learning to feel God's love for us and realizing that when we do our best God will make up the difference. Over 5,000 copies sold to date. The only book written about the rebuilding of the Nauvoo Temple.

Genres: Religion

250 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about the man who was asked to build the windows for the Nauvoo Temple. It's taken from his journal and gets a little tedious to read but made me stop and think about what a privilege it is to work on a temple, and also the divine help they receive while doing it.

[Shirley Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I still don't understand all the terms used in window making, but the process was fascinating and sounds like it might be quite tedious. A special talent Brother Allen has. He was doing something that he had never done before, but he stepped up and with the Lord's help he was able to complete a difficult job. It is quite obvious the Spirit was with him and his crew, as they all learned and leaned on the Lord. The Allen family and others were not without very difficult family situations, but the Lord saw them through it. Daily Prayer is a must.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allen makes and restores old building’s windows using materials as much as possible similar to the ones used at the time of the building a particular house or building. He helped restore Mark Twain’s home in Hannibal Missouri. Allen lives in Nauvoo. When the Nauvoo LDS temple building was announced, he was asked if he would like to build the windows for the temple using his skill and knowledge of old windows. He reluctantly accepted the challenge to build the windows as close to the original as possible. This book quotes directly from his personal journal that he kept daily during the project. It describes overwhelming responsibilities associated with the invitation to build temple windows and front doors. It tells of solutions and help provided by the Spirit for efforts that was required beyond normal talents and abilities. A very readable and inspiring book. A testimony of journal writing.

[Andre · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author now lives and owns a store and does business in Nauvoo. In this book, he tells the miraculous story of the Lord bringing him to Nauvoo and preparing him so that when the new Mormon temple was to be constructed he was there with the unique skills needed to build authentic windows and doors reflecting those created for the original 1840's Temple. Brother Allen told this story to sisters attending a Relief Society Conference in Nauvoo. I accompanied my wife to this conference. A small tornado struck Nauvoo the night before his talk. We viewed that tornado knock down trees and wreck cars from our motel window and ripped the motel's front door from off its hinges. Coming from the west somehow it bypassed the Temple and no damage was done to it.

[Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read about the man who built the windows for the Mormon temple in Nauvoo, IL. I really enjoyed this memoir, because he shared many of his journal entries with the writing of this book. He shared his feelings and how the Lord's Spirit touched his heart and soul as he went through the process to build the windows. This temple was originally built in the 1840s, but was destroyed by fire and vandals, once the Mormon Pioneers left Nauvoo after the death of Joseph Smith. One of the head architechs for the building was my neighbor and former bishop growing up, Robert Dewey, and it was interesting to hear of his involvement in the construction of this great building. I recommend this book to anyone.

[Mzford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the back story of the making of the beautiful Nauvoo temple windows, especially because I am here and can see them up close and personal. This is written in a journal format, so much of it is day to day repetition of tasks accomplished. Some terms were unfamiliar to me in the actual procedures, but the testimony of the author is most compelling of God's involvement every step of the way. I can certainly appreciate the attention and care to detail to replicate in every possible way the initial construction methods. Corners could have been cut in production which most of us would never notice, but now for me, I look and admire with new eyes of wonder.

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started off as a disappointment because I mistakenly thought that Charles Allen was asked to do the windows without knowing how to do windows at all and that he wrote this book out, instead of being an experienced historic woodworker who published compiled journal entries.

Happily, once that surprise was over, I enjoyed the book and found it interesting. Sometimes repetitive, but that is often the nature of journal-books. Cool experience he had.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! Wished I had read it BEFORE I went to Nauvoo.