Washington National Cathedral: A Marvel of Architecture and Modernity

What makes it unique?

The Washington National Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is deserving of accolades for its modern and inclusive approach to religion. We will tell you why.

People usually don't expect much from religious buildings — perhaps some historical architecture or unique murals. However, the Washington National Cathedral can surprise even the most skeptical visitors.

History of Construction

The cathedral is situated on the highest hill in Washington and was intended to be one of the city's architectural landmarks. Surprisingly, it belongs to the Anglican Episcopal Church, whose adherents make up less than 3% of the U.S. population. However, presidents are quite familiar with it: this branch of Christianity formed during the separation from England and is considered the religion of the country's Founding Fathers.

The building appears very old, almost like medieval Gothic cathedrals. But this is just a well-done imitation: construction began in 1907 and was only completed in 1990. Naturally, the devout elite spared no effort or expense.

The lecterns and pulpits are made from fragments of Canterbury Cathedral, the altar from Jerusalem sandstone, and the ten symbolic tablets of the Commandments from stones from Moses' chapel on Mount Sinai in Egypt.

Progressive decor

Special attention should be paid to the interior decoration. The Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul features sculptures not only of the apostles and allegorical depictions of God but also of those who carried out godly missions in modern America. Thus, among the saints from the scriptures, you will find real-life figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, Abraham Lincoln, and others.

Among the 200 stained glass windows are scenes that could hardly appear anywhere else. For example, there's a beloved stained glass window depicting the moon landing. The downspouts outside are adorned with 112 gargoyles — symbols of evil. Among them is a gargoyle with the head of Darth Vader.

This came about after a children's drawing contest where kids depicted the most wicked villain they could imagine, and the church embraced this idea, transforming the gargoyles into familiar characters. This modern outlook and positive attitude towards change make the Washington National Cathedral valued by Americans — not just its congregants but also by atheists. However, there are controversies surrounding the cathedral.

Earthquakes and Controversies

The Anglican Episcopal Church is known for its liberal stance on many aspects of life, including ordaining women as priests, which is strictly forbidden in other branches of Christianity. In the early 2000s, cathedral representatives officially endorsed same-sex couples, stating that God encourages all forms of love. To say this sparked protests would be an understatement.

In 2011, an earthquake in the eastern U.S. caused several spires of the National Cathedral to collapse and cracks to form in the walls. Conservative factions immediately linked this to the church's policies, pointing out that other cathedrals remained intact. Despite this, from 2013 onward, the Washington National Cathedral has hosted official same-sex marriage ceremonies.

Additional Information

• The address

  3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

• Phone

  +1-202-537-6200

• The cost

  Free.

• Working hours

  The park is open 7 days around the clock.

• Web site

  cathedral.org

The address	3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
Phone	+1-202-537-6200
The cost	Free.
Working hours	The park is open 7 days around the clock.
Web site	cathedral.org