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.