National Cathedral from air

Lessons in Gothic architecture aren't easy to come by in this Federalist-style city, but the Washington Cathedral offers a good one. Its soaring towers, flying buttresses and vaulted ceilings harken all the way back to the cloud-breaking cathedrals of France and England that were built in the Middle Ages.

Like its medieval forebears, this cathedral was a long time in the making, taking much of the 20th century to complete. The fact that it may be the last of its kind sends people in droves to marvel at its dimensions, its mammoth columns of Indiana limestone and its stained-glass windows full of biblical stories.

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Washington National Cathedral

The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington, operated under the more familiar name of Washington National Cathedral, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Of Neo-Gothic design closely modeled on English Gothic style of the late fourteenth century, it is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, the second-largest in the United States, and the highest as well as the fourth-tallest structure in Washington, D.C. The cathedral is the seat of both the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Michael Bruce Curry, and the Bishop of the Diocese of Washington, Mariann Edgar Budde.

The Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation, under the first seven Bishops of Washington, erected the cathedral under a charter passed by the United States Congress on January 6, 1893. Construction began on September 29, 1907, when the foundation stone was laid in the presence of President Theodore Roosevelt and a crowd of more than 20,000, and ended 83 years later when the "final finial" was placed in the presence of President George H. W. Bush in 1990.

The Cathedral stands at Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues in the northwest quadrant of Washington.

The cathedral was damaged in August 2011 during the Virginia earthquake. Finial stones on several pinnacles broke off, and several pinnacles twisted out of alignment or collapsed entirely. Some gargoyles and other carvings were damaged, and a hole was punched through the metal-clad roof by falling masonry. Cracks also appeared in the flying buttresses surrounding the apse. Repairs are ongoing.

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Washington National Cathedral

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Washington National Cathedral

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Washington National Cathedral

Center door

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Washington National Cathedral

Center door, detail

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Washington National Cathedral

Right door

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Washington National Cathedral

Left door

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Washington National Cathedral

Pieces fallen off from the 2011 earthquake, yet to be restored.

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Washington National Cathedral

Side view of front section

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Washington National Cathedral

North side of church

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Washington National Cathedral

North side of church

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Washington National Cathedral

North side of church

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Washington National Cathedral

North side of church

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Washington National Cathedral

North side of church

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Washington National Cathedral

North side of church

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Washington National Cathedral

North side of church

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Washington National Cathedral

North side of church

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Washington National Cathedral

North side of church

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Washington National Cathedral

North side of church

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Washington National Cathedral

North side of church, Flying buttresses

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Washington National Cathedral

North side of church

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior, Looking east, at the choir of the cathedral

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior, pulpit

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior, west rose window

The west rose window was dedicated in 1977 in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II and 39th President Jimmy Carter.

More stained glass windows

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior, one of many stained glass windows

More stained glass windows

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior, side altar

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior, main altar

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior, side altar

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior, tapestry

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior, Holy Spirit Chapel

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior, statue of Abe Lincoln

Inscritption to the left:
My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of the Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.
Springfield, Illinois
February 11, 1861
Given when When he left Springfield, Illinois, to start his inaugural journey for Washington, D.C.,

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior, Pilgrim Observation Gallery

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior, Statue of George Washington (by Lee Lawrie)

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Washington National Cathedral

Interior

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