Spiritual Life

Clerestory and Aisle Windows of the Nave

The term “clerestory” refers to the upper walls of a church that contain windows for lighting the interior. The clerestory rises above the roof of the rest of the building.

The clerestory windows of the nave in Lois Perkins Chapel have an unusual message. On the west side they feature outstanding reformers and educators in Protestantism. On the east side are the great leaders of British and American Methodism.

The figure in each window is enclosed in the vesica (fish) symbol. The symbol often is designed as an elongated nimbus. Above and below the symbol is the form of a Greek cross. Six Christian symbols are crafted into the left and right borders of each one of the large, vertical clerestory windows.

In the three aisle windows beneath each clerestory window, the center one contains the seal of the college to which the figure represented in the clerestory window was related.

Clerestory and aisle windows from north to south. Select the link to read more about each person.

WEST SIDE - REFORMERS AND EDUCATORS IN PROTESTANTISM
NAME DATES CHURCH COLLEGE
John Wycliffe 1324-1384 Anglican Balliol College, Oxford
John Huss 1370-1415 Bohemian University of Prague
Martin Luther 1483-1546 Lutheran University of Wittenberg
John Calvin 1509-1564 Presbyterian The Sorbonne, Paris
John Knox 1505-1572 Presbyterian University of Glasgow
Roger Williams 1604-1676 Baptist Pembroke College, Cambridge
George Fox 1624-1690 Quaker No college

 

EAST SIDE - LEADERS IN BRITISH AND AMERICAN METHODISM
NAME DATES CHURCH COLLEGE
John Wesley 1703-1791 Methodist Lincoln College, Oxford
Charles Wesley 1708-1788 Methodist Christ Church College, Oxford
Francis Asbury 1745-1816 Methodist Cokesbury College
Thomas Coke 1747-1814 Methodist Jesus College, Oxford
William McKendree 1757-1835 Methodist McKendree College
Martin Ruter 1785-1838 Methodist Southwestern University