The Grand Architecture & High Tea at the National Cathedral & Basilica-Washington DC Tour

Me 

A few years back, I remembered myself walking inside the Washington National Cathedral for a self-guided tour. It still continues to amaze me when I came back for the second time with a group tour. No major changes, except that part of the cathedral's architectural designs were destroyed by an earthquake that occurred in August 2011.

The National Cathedral is more than just a church. It always opens its doors to the public regardless of your religious background and faith.

Every year, thousands of visitors and worshippers come here to experience not only to find inspiration and peace and strengthening their faith but to witness and experience witnessing the cathedral's extraordinary art and architectural designs.

Washington National Cathedral is considered to be the 6th largest cathedral in the world uniquely designed and built with Inidiana limestone. The building has a cross-shape design with a long nave - a 10th of a mile, and characterized with 2 shorter transepts.

The architectural style is considered to be Gothic due to its pointed arches, boss stones, large windows, ribbed vaulting and flying buttresses.

Its decors such as stained glass large windows, wood and fabric art are captivating and considered to be more than just beautiful decorations. Behind them are symbols and images purposely designed to teach Christian beliefs as well as they pay tribute to the country's values and history.

There are two levels that are worth visiting inside the cathedral; - the Main level (the Nave) where you can see the "must-see" highlights of your tour and the Lower level (the Crypt).

Other areas are outdoors such as the Cathedral Close, the Bishop Garden and Olmsted Woods.

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Lower Level (the Crypt): - The crypt is located down the stairs close to the Holy Spirit Chapel. The level is full of crypt chapels with the iconography dealing with the New Testament imagery and the promise of eternal life - Jesus birth, his death and entombment, and His resurrection.

29. Good Shepherd Chapel - this is the altar sculpture showing a shepherd holding a lamb, interpreting the role of God as protector especially to those who are injured or suffering.

30. Bethlehem Chapel - contains symbols and depictions of the genealogy and birth of Jesus.

31. Chapel of St. Joseph of Arimathea - this is located directly beneath the crossing. It depicts the story of Jesus' entombent following the crucifixion. The architectural style of this chapel together with the Resurrection Chapel are built in Romanesque style that features rounded arches.

32. Resurrection Chapel - this is the one decorated with colorful mosaics, reflecting the appearances of Jesus after His resurrection.

33. Cathedral Center for Prayer and Pilgrimage - meditation area to visitors.

34. Visitor's Lounge - visitors can take rests here and may sign state books as well.

35. Museum Store - visitors can shop for books, religious arts, etc.

The Cathedral Close

The grounds of the cathedral is called the "Close" and is 57 acres, including the cathedral, 3 schools, the offices of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, and St. Alban's church.

There is a Bishop Garden that is medieval inspired garden that opens daily until dusk. Tours are offered at 10:30am from April-October every Wednesday.

At the base of the stone pilgrim steps is an equestrian statue of George Washington.

Information about guided and audio tours are available at the cathedral.

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21. Kellogg Bay - the memorial for Frank B. Kellogg reflecting his ardent desire for universal peace. On the east wall is a Martin Luther King Jr's. carving preaching his last Sunday sermon from the cathedral's pulpit in March 31, 1968.

22. Humanitarian Bay - also known as the Boardman Bay.

23. White Bay - the window is themed with peace and universal unity, containing symbols of the League of Nations, the United Nations, people of the world in prayer, and peaceful uses of atomic energy.

24. Bettelheim Bay - the window symbolizes "America the Beautiful" with a brilliant color and abstract design.

25. The National Cathedral Association Bay - the windows reflect women's roles as Christian life givers, healers, purifiers and teachers. These were built by members of the NCA from all over the nation.

26. Dulin Bay - the windows are depicted with the 23rd psalm in vivid colors.

27. Frohman Bay - the memorial of Philip Hubert Frohman, the Cathedral's architect for more than 50 years. The window is dramatic, with abstract design utilizing an imaginative design of leading and small pieces of glass.

28. Abraham Lincoln Bay - the heroic bronze statue stands before words from Lincoln's farewell address at Springfield, Illinois. The floor is inset with Lincoln-head pennies; the window depicts in abstract form "the Agony of Civil War."

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11. South Transept - notice the 3 rose windows that are linked by 3 sacred events connecting humanity with divine: - the Creation, the Last Judgement, and Life Everlasting. The rose window in the south transept is themed the "Church Triumphant", with imagery from the Biblical book of Revelation.

12. The Crossing - this is teh center of the two transept "arms" and the "body" of the long nave, forming a shape of the cross. The Canterbury pulpit has a sculpture depicting people and scenes relating to the translation of the Bible to English. The stones came from Canterbury Cathedral in England.
A crucifixion scene is high overhead on the road beam. "Road" is an old word which means cross or crucifix.

13. War Memorial Chapel - this site depicts stories of sacrifice and the struggle for freedom. This is a tribute to those who served the armed forces.

14. Children's Chapel - the site is where you can see a statue of the Christ Child that was built to the scale of a 6-yr. old child.


15. St. Johns' Chapel - the carvings reflect the Last Supper and the Crucifixion; the windows tell of the miracles of Jesus.

16. High Altar - is located at the last end of the cathedral nave. Surrounding the central figure of Christ in Majesty are 110 figures of men and women that exemplifies the highest ideals of Chrisitianity which completes the icnonographic story with the redemption of mankind through Jesus Christ. On the left is the bishop's chair, - the Glastonbury Cathedra.

17. St. Mary's Chapel - shows scenes from Mary's life, mother of Jesus. On the windows are the parables of Jesus. The story of David and Goliath is told on a 16th-century tapestries.

18. Holy Spirit Chapel - its altar panels were painted by N.C. Wyeth. In the iron gate and on the altar painting is the dove, - the symbol for the Holy Spirit. The chapel is reserved for quiet prayer.

19. North Transept - notice the oldest rose window titled "Last Judgement", - where Jesus Christ as judge is at the center. The window is a medieval stained glass done by Lawrence Saint, - a stained glass artist.

20. West Rose Window - from the mid-nave crossing on the west is the view of west rose window known as the "Creation Rose" that brings the creation story inside the cathedral with an abstract interpretation casting light throughout the nave.
This window including all of the Nave Clerestory are admired for their sparkle, clarity and brilliant color. The 18 clerestory windows reflects the progress of the Hebrew people as God prepared them for the coming of the Messiah.
The windows are meant to be viewed in pairs, so the south windows are linked to the facing north windows.

Washington National Cathedral (Part 1)

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The cathedral has two main levels; - the Main Level (the Nave) and the Lower Level (the Crypt).
The Main Level consists of 28 spots and landmarks you should check out while the Lower Level consists of 7 sites worth seeing at.

Main Level (the Nave):

1. West Facade - the cathedral's iconographic story; - the mankind's creation to redemption starts here. All the arts here depicts themes of creation. If you notice the carved tympana above the 3 massive portals reflects the creation of day, the creation of mankind, and the creation of night. The 3 statues are Peter, Adam and Paul and the bronze gates shows scenes from the lines of Peter at the north portal, Abraham and Moses at the center portal and Paul at the south portal.
2. George Washington Bay - the heroic marble statue of the first president is a huge reflection in here. The windows abstract design reflects the search for freedom that led to the founding of our nation.
3. Maryland Bay - carved in its stone and in its stained glass, it shows the rich symbols of the state and its diverse religious heritage. The land of D.C. (District of Columbia) was once part of Maryland.
4. Folger Bay - the colorful windows depict the richness of the lands explored in the 1803 Lewis and Clark expedition to the American northwest.
5. Glover Bay - on the windows reflect the event which commemorated the promotion of plans for building the cathedral in1891, led by a group of men.
6. Warren Bay - this contains the symbols of law in memory of Charles Warren, lawyer and historian of the Supreme Court. Just above this is the Space Window that reflects the Apollo XI mission and holding a piece of moon rock brought back by its crew.
7. Woodrow Wilson Bay - the colorful window is titled "War and Peace". The stone and glass enriched with myriad images symbolizes events in the life of the 28th president of the USA who is buried here.
8. Lee-Jackson Bay - it contains the scenes from the lives of two civil war generals.
9. Mellon Bay- is behind its wrought iron gate that may be used for private prayer. On the column capitals are carvings relating to Andrew W. Mellon.
10. Baptistry - reflects symbols of artworks that represents baptism.

(to be continued on the next post)

Washington National Cathedral (The Visit)

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This cathedral is famous due to its Gothic architectural style, built of Indiana limestone and considered to be the 6th largest church in the world. Its architecture has boss stones, ribbed vaulting, large windows with flying buttresses and uses pointed arches.
The architectural design is said to be unique because it is not copied from any other buildings. The building is cross-shaped with a long nave-a tenth of a mile-and two shorter transepts.

The art and architecture of the cathedral instruct and inspire through works in stained glass windows, stone, wrought iron, wood and fabrics. Those images and symbols of art reflections are designed to teach Christian beliefs, reveal the presence of God and pay tribute to our country's history and values.

From west to east of the cathedral is the story of redemption through faith.
The story of creation is reflected beginning at the west facade and west rose window, and this theme continues through clerestory windows, and ends with the sculpture of "Christ in Majesty" at the high altar.

The Pilgrim Observation Gallery can be accessible through elevators up for views over the city. Stairs lead down to the Cathedral store at the lower level. You can avail some food service at the store but limited.

Washington National Cathedral - (The Visit)

May 21, 2010

It was a good thought after all to plan for this itinerary visit after I was done with my paper works submission at the Philippine embassy in Washington D.C.

The cathedral is just 5 minutes away from where I was, so it wasn't bad.

This church opens its doors to thousands of visitors and worshippers every year, mainly because of the cathedral's awesome architecture and arts. It's a church for national purposes that welcomes people of all faiths.

I was captivated by its huge architectural design both in and out. The audio tour was great!

If you don't want to miss every detail of information about the cathedral, - the audio tour is the best option. You'll learn every aspect about the cathedral :).
The audio tour is self-paced and costs $5.00 per person. It's only available when there are no special events or services that are taking place inside the main area.

Oh, and one more thing to be aware of...DON'T take photos when mass or worship service is being held. Otherwise, you can take photos on everywhere around the church. Just be sure you have a fully-charged camera.

I will be sharing a separate post on the cathedral which might be of two parts, so I can actually discuss the vast areas including its famous inspirational arts and architecture ;).