Battell Chapel Virtual Tour
The Apse Memorial Windows
The Apse Memorial Windows were designed by the architect Russell Sturgis and installed in 1876 by Slack, Booth and Co. of Orange, New Jersey. At the top of the center window appears the name of the earliest benefactor of Yale University, Elihu Yale, who acquired his wealth and fame in the East Indies. Following this are the names of several early rectors and presidents of the college prior to its relocation to New Haven: Abraham Pierson, the first Rector; Samuel Andrew, the second Rector, who served during a particularly disjointed era of the college when students were engaged in fighting for and service to the English king; Timothy Cutler, the third Rector; Elisha Williams, known as one of the first "fighting presidents"; and Naphtali Daggett, who served as president during the upheaval against England, and while a student "exercised the rights of war" by firing upon the soldiers of King George III.
The inscription as it appears on the center window:
HVIC COLLEGIO ANO DNI MDCC CONDITO ATQ AB ANNO DNI MDCCXVIII IN MEMORIAM MVNIFICENTIAE ELIHV YALE AB ILLIVS NOMINE APPELLATO ABRAHAMVS PIERSON SAMVEL ANDREW TIMOTHEVS CVTLER ELISAEVS WILLIAMS NAPHTALI DAGGETT PRAESEDERVNT PRIMITIAS DOCTRINAE OPTIMAE SAPIENTISZVE PIETATIS STVDIOSE COLLIGENTES
translation:
Over this college, founded in the year 1700, and from the year of our Lord 1718 called Yale College, in memory of the generosity of Elihu Yale, Abraham Pierson 1701-1707, Samuel Andrew 1707-1719, Timothy Cutler 1719-1722, Elisha Williams 1725-1739, Naphtali Daggett 1766-1777 presided, gathering carefully the beginnings of the best learning and of a wise piety.
The remaining four windows in the apse commemorate the four presidents who preceded Dr. Woolsey and were instrumental in the early development of the University in New Haven. Click "NEXT" to view their descriptions.
