Shortly after moving into our new nave in October of 1993, it became apparent that it was time to begin researching the acquisition of new altar kneelers. Led by the Rev. Fred Jones, a group of about a dozen needlepointers and other interested parishioners gathered to meet and discuss this project with Betty Lauterbach of Divine Designs, Indianapolis, IN. It was determined that the colors and symbols used should follow those in the center aisle tapestry and the stained glass windows. Several weeks later Mrs. Lauterbach furnished the committee with an estimate for designing, painting canvases and supplying yarn. The cost was more than we could budget at that time, and it was decided that we should hold off on the project until a later date, or gifting was received. 

In early 1999 Grace Church received the generous memorial gift from the Goble Family, and our committee again met with Mrs. Lauterbach and agreed to proceed with development of a theme for the altar cushions. At that time we embarked upon a two year planning process involving Grace’s kneeler committee (which then included our interim rector, The Rev. Don Harrison) and the staff of Divine Designs, Ltd, culminating in August of 2001 with the final acceptance of the artists’ drawings. 

Excitement mounted as an eager group of stitchers gathered in the Parish Hall on Sunday afternoon, January 13, 2002, to choose their kneeler kits. Thus began nearly a two year odyssey between canvases, wool and dedicated, determined needlepointers. Many finger calluses were painstakingly cultivated, needles and needlework frames were bent and broken, but there also grew a strong bond between this band of ladies, many of whom met on Wednesday evenings after the GWAG dinners, while others got together to take a few stitches on rainy Saturday afternoons and cold winter evenings. Some experienced changes in their lives which necessitated that they give up their stitching, while others in the church found time to pick up those discarded pieces and begin where the first stitchers had left off. One woman who loved needlework and was moving to our area from Charleston, SC had read about our project “online” and contacted Mrs. Oliver to see if she might become involved. Another stitcher was a “friend of a friend”, but not a member of Grace. We were a varied group, but one with one main goal!! Mrs. Lauterbach had told us that it would be at least a two year commitment on the part of the stitchers, but through the excellent leadership and guidance of Jane Oliver, the last of the completed cushions was collected by Thanksgiving of 2003, twenty two months from inception and a mere 10 years after we had moved into our new nave!