One century, the separation of church and state prevented the construction of the church. Finally in 1893, American Congress granted the creation of a Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation for "Promotion of religion and education and charity."
The construction started immediately, but it would take a century to build the Washington National Cathedral.
It is a beautiful 518' length with 104' span of Nave Cathedral, it is very hard to get a picture which contains entire cathedral from the ground. My trick, I photograph a post card which was probably taken from a helicopter. It is a beauty, enjoy this view:
The timeless Gothic style of Architecture was chosen for our National Cathedral on purpose to evoke the splendors of God's kingdom.
This Cathedral was build in English Gothic architecture style and has some decorative design from French and Spanish Gothic style architecture.
WYSIWYG - What You See I What You Get
- The Building of the Cathedral
- The Cathedral Decorations
- The Exterior of the Cathedral
- Perry plays Organ at WNC
- Nicholas White plays at WNC Organ
- Scott Detra plays Organ at WNC
- My others Gothic Architecture Lenses
- Vote On My Gothic Architecture Lenses
- The Beauty Of Our Washington National Cathedral in Books
- Washington National Cathedral Video
- How to inform you about Washington Sites?
- Commenting we'll know each other better!
- Who is Michey?
- Michey's Lensography
- Follow me on Twitter
The Building of the Cathedral
The second major task was to raise money to start the construction and a government body, called a chapter was created to oversize the construction.
And the most important at all was to acquire a proper design. Only in 1906, the chapter voted to build the cathedral in Gothic style.
The first 2 architects was: an Englishman George Bodley, and a native English who came in states when he was young Henry Vaughan.
In 1907 the plans arrived in States, they was approved by the chapter and on 29th September 1907, the first foundation stone was laid in a festive ceremony, in the presents of President Theodore Roosevelt and over ten thousand American citizens, it was a beautiful moment of national pride.
The construction advanced slowly, the important factors was: manpower, money, the buff limestone quarried from Indiana and transported to Washington by rail.A lot of money was coming from private contributions.
In 1912 Bethlehem Chapel within Cathedral was finished, dedicated, and the first service was celebrated in the crypt.
Difficult times followed, both architects died, the draftsmen carried out the work until the existing plans were completed and in 1919 the construction stopped.
It was only in 1921 when a new team was assembled: Frohman, Robb, and Little under the leadership of Philip Hubert Frohman who devoted the next 50 years to this project.
The stock marker crash of 1929 and the depression slowed construction but did not stop.The bishop of Washington James Freeman was able to raise enough money to keep the construction going and the most important to offer jobs to men who might otherwise have been on the government line for food.
The north part was completed as America entered to Word War II.
The construction stopped again because the donor funding diminished.
In 1951, Bishop Dun and the chapter appointed the reverend Francis Sayre as dean of the Cathedral and he consecrated 27 years to oversaw the decorations of the Cathedral.
His successors continued to raise money but was Dean Sayer decision to to build the central tower instead of finishing the nave.
In 1964 the tower called the Gloria in Excelsis was dedicated and the bells started to ring over the city.
The donors founding increased dramatically and in 1976 the nave was dedicated at services that brought Queen Elisabeth II of England and thousands of other visitors to the Cathedral.
Another stop on construction followed this moment of glory. Under the next bishop of Washington in September 1990, after nearly a century of effort, and faith, Washington National Cathedral was completed and consecrated.
The Cathedral Decorations
- In the west the iconography is "the Creation"
- In the north "the Last Judgment"
- In the south "the Church Triumphant"
The Washington National Cathedral is adorned with beautiful carvings. I pick up just 2 examples but there are thousands of them.
The Ter Sanctus reredos above the High Altar:
The altar and reredos in Bethlehem Chapel:
This is a beautiful tapestry in St. Mary's Chapel which tell the story of David ans Goliath:
This is a rich Cathedral you must see: carved stones, marble, alabaster, wood, stained glasses, rose windows, wrought iron doors, and gates, a mosaic above the altar, a Rare Book Library (with first edition of the King James Bible and so on), the 10,600 pipes Great Organ with a beautiful sound, the Glastonbury Cathedra ("bishop's chair" fabricated of stones from the ancient Glastonbury Abbey in England), exterior gargoyles, President Lincoln Statue, some tombs of prominent Bishops.
And this is not all, if you happened to be in Washington DC, the National Cathedral is a must see.
The Exterior of the Cathedral
The creedal bosses in the nave vaulting:
A gargoyles:
John and I in front of the cathedral:
Perry plays Organ at WNC
Enjoy the music and the beautiful sound of WNC's Organ, it really is a beauty.
The next 3 modules are just music videos played on WNC.
Nicholas White plays at WNC Organ
Enjoy!
Scott Detra plays Organ at WNC
My others Gothic Architecture Lenses
I have a set of 3 lenses about Paris Gothic and one about Romanian Heritage Middle Age Architecture.-
Paris Rayonnante Gothic Saint-Chapelle
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The Sainte-Chapelle is a Gothic Chapel in the courtyard of the royal palace on the Île de la Cite Paris, France. It is a perfect example of the Rayonnante French Gothic architecture in13th-century. The Chapel was built from 1242 - 1248. There is a l...
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Romanian Heritage Middle Age
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I want to show you now my native country Romania starting with Middle Age fortresses in old towns, a part of them are declared by UNESCO, World Heritage Sites. Romania was accepted in United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (...
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Paris High Gothic Notre Dame
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The Notre Dame is an active Catholic church, a place of pilgrimage, and is the most popular monument in Paris and in entire France. Notre Dame de Paris is widely considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in the world. It is...
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Paris Early Gothic Conciergerie
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My passion for traveling is not a secret, and for me Paris is like first love. From an incredible amount of Paris's attractions, I like the most Gothic Architecture, especially Early, High, and Rayonnant Gothic. I'll pick up one example of each of th...
Vote On My Gothic Architecture Lenses
I have created 4 lenses about Gothic Architecture, I want to know your opinion about them.
This one is about Washington National Cathedral.
You find the other 3 in the previous module.
The Beauty Of Our Washington National Cathedral in Books
Washington National Cathedral Video
How to inform you about Washington Sites?
Commenting we'll know each other better!
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Reply
- OhMe OhMe Dec 11, 2009 @ 7:05 am
- Back to this great lens to give you a Squid Angel Blessing. My son and daughter in law can see the National Cathedral out their window. What a sight!
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Reply
- Squidster Squidster Nov 17, 2009 @ 5:08 pm
- Hi Michey, you've done an astounding job of featuring the beauty of this cathedral. A most exquisite lens! This gives me an idea, I will message you directly... Cheers!
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Reply
- Michey Michey Nov 6, 2009 @ 6:29 am | in reply to Kate-Phizackerley
- Thanks, Yes it is a beauty and was built when the Gothic craftsmen don't exist anymore.
Regards
Michey
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Reply
- Michey Michey Nov 6, 2009 @ 6:29 am | in reply to Kate-Phizackerley
- Thanks, Yes it is a beauty and was built when the Gothic craftsmen don't exist anymore.
Regards
Michey
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Reply
- Kate-Phizackerley Kate-Phizackerley Nov 5, 2009 @ 10:54 pm
- How strange that both AJ and I found this lens today. I was searching Squidoo for lenses which mention Widor and this came up. Glad I did as it gives me a lens to feature on my Widor Toccata lens (which should be finished by the end of the weekend) - I'm usung the same Scott Detra video.
I love cathedral lenses. This one is an absolute beauty. An fully appropriate Angle blessing from me.
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Reply
- Michey Michey Nov 5, 2009 @ 8:15 am | in reply to aj2008
- Thanks, Washington DC is only 5 hours drive from here, and I like to go and relax in long weekends. National Cathedral, Smithsonian Museum are among my favorite places.
Ah! and the old part of Georgetown as well.
Regards
Michey
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Reply
- aj2008 aj2008 Nov 5, 2009 @ 7:11 am
- Another beautiful cathedral lens Michey and great photos. SquidAngel Blessings for you.
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Reply
- Michey Michey Oct 28, 2009 @ 9:59 am | in reply to BevsPaper
- Thanks Bev, yes, National Cathedral is a beauty, and is amazing that it was built in 20 century with very little Gothic craftsmen. This is a place for us to be proud of!
Thanks
Michey
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Reply
- BevsPaper BevsPaper Oct 28, 2009 @ 6:43 am
- I enjoyed this very much. Washington National Cathedral is so beautiful. {{{Blessed}}} from my Angel wings for your exquisite work.
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Reply
- AndyPo AndyPo Oct 20, 2009 @ 8:09 am
- Excellent lens and a very beautiful cathedral.
- Load More
Who is Michey
Lensmaster Michey has been a member since April 21 2007, has rated 997 lenses, favorited 1,364, and has created 59 lenses from scratch. Michaela Cernescu donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "FTC New Rules and Regulations". See all my lenses
Michey's Lensography
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