Dark Light in the National Cathedral

by Cora Wandel

Title

Dark Light in the National Cathedral

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Cora Wandel

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These stained-glass windows are at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. In 1792, President George Washington established a “church intended for national purposes . . . assigned to the special use of no particular sect or denomination, or denomination, but equally open to all." It took two centuries to complete what has become known as the "National Cathedral." As for the church being "of no particular sect or denomination," in 1893 Congress established that the cathedral shall be for the Episcopalian faith, and its formal name became the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington. Today the National Cathedral, which was finally completed in 1990, is a majestic presence atop Mount Saint Albans, the highest area in Washington. It is the second largest cathedral in the United States (the tallest is the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, also in Washington), and the sixth largest cathedral in the world. In classic Gothic style, the National Cathedral is richly decorated with wood carvings, mosaics, and over 200 stained glass windows. On the main floor of the cathedral is the aforementioned tomb of President Wilson, and in the “tombs” under the main floor are the remains of many others, including Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan. Two of the latest high profile funerals to be held at the National Cathedral were for President Ronald Reagan in 2004, and most recently, Senator John McCain on September 1, 2018.

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October 8th, 2018

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