Upon its construction, its purpose was to serve as the nation’s spiritual home. But is the Washington National Cathedral, formally dedicated as the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington, DC, a Christian-based house of worship or an impressive national site? Perhaps the cathedral is a combination of both.
Although some ornamental work continues, construction began in 1907 and continued until 1990. The cathedral is the seat of the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church and the Bishop of the Diocese of Washington.
It has been the scene, most recently, of the funerals of former President George W. H. Bush and Senator John McCain. The cathedral also played host to the funerals of President Ronald Reagan, President Gerald Ford and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, as well as many memorial services, including one for the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks, and for presidential prayer services following inaugurations. When not in use for formal ceremonies, the cathedral is open to visitors.
Like many others, the cathedral features stained-glass windows, including a rose window. Dedicated to the theme of creation, the window bursts with reds representing fire, greens for water, browns for earth and grays for air. There is nothing typical about all of the windows, though. One, for example, is dubbed the Space Window. Encased in the window’s design is a lunar rock donated by Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, the crew of Apollo 11. Artist Rodney Winfield said he wanted the window, dedicated in 1974, to depict the smallness of man in the vast universe.
As do many churches and cathedrals, the national cathedral features statues depicting saints and angels. Additionally, though, there are six nameless figures. Although not assigned to specific individuals, each represents acts of mercy: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, visit the sick and visit the imprisoned.
While walking about, visitors will likely be struck by the impressive hand-stitched kneeler cushions devoted to many noteables. Some that caught my eye included one adorned with a raven, a feather quill pen and a black cat for Edgar Allan Poe; one adorned with a podium and the scales of justice for Henry Clay; and one adorned with a buffalo, weapons and a covered wagon for Daniel Boone.
And no visit to a cathedral is complete without a climb up the tower steps. The reward, here, is a magnificent, unique panoramic view of Washington, DC, as well as a closer look at the exterior architecture, including the beautiful flying buttresses.
Also worth noting is the cathedral serves as the final resting place for many, including President Woodrow Wilson, the only president to be buried in Washington, DC, and his wife Edith. Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan are buried here, as are bishops, diplomats, political figures, musicians and servicemen. There are two specific bays devoted to Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, respectively. There are also many carvings memorializing individuals such as Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Jonathan Daniels, John Walker, Albert Schweitzer, Eleanor Roosevelt and others.
Ceremonial events, coupled with an inviting combination of traditional and unique characteristics, make the Washington National Cathedral a destination worthy of consideration.
(Note: Marjorie Appelman is an English, communications and journalism teacher at Mason County High School and co-founder of the travel blog, Tales from the Trip, which is also on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. She can be reached at marj.appelman@gmail.com.)
