National Cathedral

The official name of the National Cathedral is the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. Although it is an Episcopal Church, the Cathedral’s constitution states that it be a "house of prayer for all people, forever free and open to all who may enter its doors."

Interesting Facts:

President Wilson, buried in the Cathedral, is the only President to be laid to rest in the District.
The Cathedral is a 14th Century Gothic-style structure, shaped like a Latin Cross, and is the sixth largest church in the world.
The west Rose window contains over 10,000 pieces of glass, and the Space Window has a piece of the moon in it!
Darth Vader, from Star Wars fame, is one of the gargoyles located on the northwest corner of the west tower.
The Central tower is 676 feet above sea level, making it the highest point in the District of Columbia.

Links:

www.cathedral.org

http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/wash/dc5.htm

Timeline

1898	1907	1912	1968
Land is purchased to build the National Cathedral	The cornerstone is laid and construction begins.	Bethlehem Chapel becomes the first part of the Cathedral to be completed.	On March 31st, Martin Luther King preached his last Sunday sermon in the Cathedral. Five days later, a memorial service was held for him there.

1990

The Cathedral is completed.