Students strolling past the chapel recently may have noticed the large circular stained-glass window that adorns the main doors to the chapel is missing. The Trinity window was not stolen or vandalized but is being repaired.

The window is being restored through a process called re-leading, said Gerald Anderley, associate vice president of facilities.

“Every piece of stained glass has a lead connection around it that holds it together and holds it in place,” Anderley said. “Over time, the leading gives way and the window starts to bulge out, so it needs to be taken out and redone.”

The Rev. Erich Rutten said eventually all the stained glass windows in the chapel will be taken out and refurbished.

“They did a side window last year. It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last,” Rutten said.

The repair process for the Trinity window began in mid-February. The window is expected to be completed in time for graduation and the busy wedding season.

The window was installed in 1940, 21 years after the chapel was constructed, and these are the first repairs made to it. All the stained glass windows were designed in cooperation with the Rev. Walter LeBeau, the director of religion at the time.

The repairs will cost about $30,000, and $600-$700 will be taken from the LeBeau Fund, named after the Rev. Walter LeBeau. The rest of the funds will come from Physical Plant operational dollars.

“It becomes a safety issue when the glass begins to bulge out,” Anderley said. “We didn’t want to lose the entire window and you can do that quite easily. Once it goes, it goes.”

The window portrays an image of the Trinity, with a Latin inscription encircling it that reads: “There are three who give testimony in heaven, the Father, the Word, the Holy Ghost. One Spirit, one Lord, one God, and Father of all who is above all and through all.”

Tom Graves can be reached at grav5886@stthomas.edu.