The Beginning of the Bible: The Genesis Window

The first window, next to the entrance, tells the story of Genesis, the first book of the Bible. Read it from the bottom left to the right, then move up one row and read again from left to right, just as you would a comic book. The panels are so densely packed that they can look alike, but there are in fact about 80 different scenes. Even if you don't know the Bible well, focusing on the key events makes it easy to follow.

It begins at the bottom left, with God creating the heavens and the earth. Next comes the creation of humankind, with God on the left and Adam on the right. Then the forbidden fruit, which God had told them not to eat: on the left, Eve hands it to Adam on the right. Another panel shows God giving clothes to the pair after they learn shame. After that, Adam and Eve's son Cain attacks his brother Abel. The story goes on, with Noah's Ark and the Tower of Babel, and at the very top, Jacob and his sons arriving in Egypt, which closes out Genesis.

All the stained glass around this room tells stories from the Bible in this way. There is one exception, though. Turn around and you'll find it.