File:Clerestory window 12 - War Memorial Chapel - National Cathedral - DC.JPG

English: Detail of the stained glass clerestory window "Freedom I" in the War Memorial Chapel at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. It was designed by Joseph G. Reynolds, Jr. and fabricated by Reynolds, Francis, Rohnstock & Setti. It was dedicated in 1953.

This detail depicts Martin Luther nailing the Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg -- proclaiming the start of the Protestant Reformation.

The War Memorial Chapel honors people who have served in the United States military. Planning for some sort of war memorial in the cathedral began in 1946. The original plan was to build a War Memorial Chapel in the North Transept, but by 1947 the goal was to build a "Patriot's Transept" in the south instead. Shortly thereafter, a War Memorial Chapel was added. By 1950, plans were made for three stained glass windows in the chapel, as well as "National Roll of Honor." The transept opened on September 28, 1952. The War Memorial Chapel was mostly complete by 1953, but was not dedicated until October 20, 1957. President Dwight Eisenhower and Queen Elizabeth II dedicated it in a brief ceremony.

The stained glass windows emphasize the themes of freedom and sacrifice in wartime. Among the scenes depicted are: Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt; Abraham Lincoln emancipating the slaves; the flag-raising at Iwo Jima; paratroopers landing on a battlefield; and much more.

A "clerestory" window is one that is high above the floor, and usually is quite narrow. They are designed to allow light into a cathedral.

Originally, the cathedral building committee required that all stained glass in the cathedral be the modestly colored English-style stained glass. Lawrence Saint designed most of the stained glass windows for the chancel, choir, and side chapels. But in the 1950s, financial patron James Sheldon convinced the building committee to abandon that plan in favor of the more vibrant, light-filled style of the French and Spanish cathedrals. This is why the Washington National Cathedral has such vibrant, glowing windows instead of gloomy pastels that let in almost no light.