- The Space Window on the south aisle of the Cathedral contains a piece of lunar rock.
- There is a sculpture of Darth Vader in the Cathedral.
- The Cathedral’s central tower is the only place in North America to house both peal and carillon bells.
- The Cathedral labyrinth is a medieval design based on the one in the floor of the nave at Chartres Cathedral in France.
- The Great Organ was expanded multiple times during construction to serve the growing Cathedral.
- The Cathedral is home to one of the few old growth forests still standing in the nation’s capital, Olmsted Woods, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.
- The main exhibition case of the Rare Book Library occasionally displays the Cathedral’s first edition of the King James Bible, printed in London in 1611. This Bible belonged to Henry, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of King James.
- The official name of Washington National Cathedral is the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
| Introduction | Bibliography | Pictures |
| Interesting Facts | Links | Video |
Introduction
The plans for this incredible building where people could worship began as far back as 1893. In 1907 the building of the National Cathedral was interrupted by both world wars and a lack of funding. The construction of the cathedral was completed in 1990. When it was finished, the National Cathedral was the sixth largest cathedral in the world. It's actual name is the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. The National Cathedral is an amazing structure, English Gothic in style, with incredible sculptures, wood carving, gargoyles, mosaics, and more than 150 stained glass windows. The top of the Gloria in Excelsis Tower, which is the highest point in all of Washington, DC offers a dramatic view of the city.
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Bibliography
Staff of Washington National Cathedral. Washington National Cathedral. 2011. http://www.nationalcathedral.org/
The New York Times Company. National Cathedral - Washington D.C. 2011.
http://dc.about.com/od/touristattractions/a/NationalCathedr.htm
National Park Services. National Cathedral. http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/wash/dc5.htm
Art Branch Inc. Washington National Cathedral - Washington National Cathedral information and pictures. 2011.
http://www.gothereguide.com/washington+national+cathedral-place/
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Pictures
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Interesting Facts
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Links
http://www.nationalcathedral.org/
http://dc.about.com/od/touristattractions/a/NationalCathedr.htm
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/wash/dc5.htm
http://www.gothereguide.com/washington+national+cathedral-place/
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Video
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Carter Mattingly, 8th Grade, St. Gabriel School, 2011