Washington National Cathedral

Address:Washington, District of Columbia

The Washington National Cathedral is an American monument, designated the "National House of Prayer" of the United States. The Episcopal cathedral has hosted national events in both happy and tragic times. The sixth-largest cathedral in the world and second-largest in the United States, the church was voted one of the three most beautiful buildings in the U.S. in a survey by the American Institute of Architects.

The Washington National Cathedral has played a role in uniting Americans through both religious and secular services. During World War II, monthly services for a united people in a time of emergency were held. Other major events have drawn the attention of the entire American people to the church, like the 9/11 memorial service. The cathedral also hosted the state funerals for three American Presidents: Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered the final Sunday sermon of his life in the cathedral, just a few days before his assassination. A memorial service for Dr. King was held there later the same week.

Construction began in 1907, when the foundation stone was laid in the presence of President Theodore Roosevelt. The building process lasted for 83 years, until the last finial was placed in the presence of President George H. W. Bush in 1990. The cathedral's master plan was designed by George Frederick Bodley, a respected British Gothic Revival architect of the late-19th and early-20th centuries. Most of the building is constructed using Indiana limestone. Its final design shows a mix of influences from the various Gothic architectural styles of the Middle Ages, identifiable in its pointed arches, flying buttresses, a variety of ceiling vaulting, stained-glass windows and carved stone decorations, and by its three similar towers.

The building features a long, narrow rectangular mass formed by a nine-bay nave with wide side aisles and a five-bay chancel, intersected by a six-bay transept. The flags of all of the U.S. states are displayed in the cathedral's nave. Above the crossing, rising 301 feet, is the Gloria in Excelsis Tower. Its top, at 676 feet above sea level, is the highest point in Washington. The Pilgrim Observation Gallery - which occupies a space about 3/4ths of the way up in the west-end towers - provides sweeping views of the city.

There are many other works of art, including over 200 stained glass windows. The most familiar of these is the Space Window, honoring man's landing on the Moon, which includes a fragment of lunar rock at its center. Most of the decorative elements have Christian symbolism, in reference to the church's Episcopalian roots, but the cathedral is filled with memorials to people or events of national significance as well: statues of Washington and Lincoln, state seals embedded in the mosaic floor of the narthex, state flags that hang along the nave, stained glass commemorating events like the Lewis and Clark expedition and the raising of the American flag at Iwo Jima. The organ is also extremely special. Originally installed in 1938 with 4,800 pipes, it currently has 186 ranks and 10,650 pipes. It is the largest organ in the city of Washington.

The cathedral boasts what is probably the world's only sculpture of Darth Vader on a religious building. During construction of the west towers, developers decided to hold a competition for children to design decorative sculptures for the cathedral. The image of the villainous Vader, sculpted by Jay Hall Carpenter and carved by Patrick J. Plunkett, was placed high upon the northwest tower, fulfilling the role of a traditional grotesque. You will also want to visit Helen Keller's tomb and walk the grounds, with their curving walkways, well-kept hedges and spacious lawns with views of the city.

Guided tours, perfect for the individual or family, are led by docents. In addition to the standard tours, several themed tours are offered, focusing on different aspects of the building, including art, garden and gargoyles. An audio tour is also available if you prefer to view the cathedral on your own. For all tours check for times and closures since there are many special events held here. Attending Midnight Mass is good choice on Christmas Eve or Easter. For these ceremonies, plan ahead and get tickets, which are free, but the cathedral limits the turnout. The cathedral also offers daily prayer services open to the public. Check the website, www.cathedral.org, for the schedule.

The Washington National Cathedral is located at the intersection of Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues in northwest Washington, D.C. It is accessible by car or by one of several D.C. bus lines. There is a parking garage for all visitors that is free on Sundays.