Washington National Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is an American cathedral of religion, also commonly called Washington National Cathedral. The cathedral is situated in Washington, D.C, the capital city of the United States. It is regarded as one of the most important religious buildings in the world. The cathedral has a great significance on the American scene. The cathedral was built in 1790 on the site of a former Cathedral.

The Washington National Cathedral has many visitors who visit it during their vacation in Washington, D.C. Every year, the cathedral hosts events to celebrate the spirit of tolerance. In recognition of its status as a national monument, the cathedral has played an important role in welcoming foreign dignitaries to the United States throughout the history of our nation. Among the visitors' tour of the cathedral are the following: President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Senator John McCain, Congressmen Ron Paul, and Barney Franks, President Bill Clinton, and First Lady Hillary Clinton. The reason why the first lady visited the cathedral on such a momentous day is that she was there to receive the Presidential medal awarded to her by the British government for outstanding contributions to the welfare of women of other races and religions. The cathedral was also responsible for the foundation stone of the national seal.

In recognition of their contribution to the development of the American Government, the United States Congress established the National Cathedral as a national historic landmark. The National Cathedral was dedicated by President Harry Truman in 1947. In addition to President Truman's dedication, the United States Congress selected twenty-one different local artists to serve as the grounds illuminators of the cathedral. These twenty-one artists were paid an average wage of $5.00 per day. This wage was much less than what most people earn in a single day!

The Washington National Cathedral has located just two blocks from the White House in Washington, D.C. Visitors may simply walk from the White House to the cathedral at a cost of fifteen dollars. There is no charge for parking inside the church. Visitors may also walk to the Washington National Cathedral from the parking lot. Visitors may take an elevator to the second floor of the church. It is the highest building in Washington D.C.

An interesting way to view the Washington National Cathedral is to travel up to the third floor and tour the observation gallery where you can look up into the stained glass windows. The highest point in the observation gallery is the ceiling of one of the twenty-one marvelous stained-glass windows. Each morning, the scaffold on which the windows are suspended drops fifty feet to the ground. Each day, a new window is installed. On each floor, the scaffold is withdrawn to allow a new window to be added to the gallery.

Two other buildings in D.C. near the Washington National Cathedral are the U.S. National Park Service building and the National Air and Space Museum. The former is a historic park office while the latter houses the National Air and Space Museum. Both buildings contain artworks by such notable artists as Frank Stella, John Baldus, Roy Lichtenstein, and others. Visiting these museums will give you a sense of how much has changed over the years. The Washington National Cathedral is also home to an English Gothic sanctuary with its forty-foot statue of St. John the Baptist.

In addition to visiting the Washington National Cathedral and the American Holy Church, several other sites are located nearby. They include the U.S. National Arbor Association, Saint Peter's Catholic Church, Washington National Cathedral, and the Washington National Mall. All of these locations contain quaint restaurants, boutiques, museums, and galleries.

A trip to the cathedral is also not complete without a tour of the carveries. At each site, you will find carvings made from wood and other materials. Some of these carvings date back to the eighteenth century. A walk along the carveries gives you a sense of both history and timelessness.