Washington National Cathedral
The Washington National Cathedral is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church in the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, it is the sixth largest cathedral in the world and second largest in the United States.[1] It was built between 1907 and 1990.[2]
On Tuesday, August 23, 2011, the central tower on the Cathedral was damaged by an earthquake. A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck northern Virginia, about 135 km (84 mi) from Washington D.C.[3] The earthquake knocked off some of the cross-shaped finial stones. Finials are the decorative top of the pinnacles or towers. One pinnacle is leaning to the side. The inside of the cathedral did not receive any serious damage from the earthquake.[4]
Officials have stated that it will cost millions of dollars to repair the damage. The cost of repairs will not be covered by insurance. There are many cracks in the limestone exterior.[5] There was concern that the landfall of hurricane Irene would cause more damage.[6] The hurricane did not cause any additional damage to the cathedral.[7]
State funerals for four American Presidents have been held at the cathedral:[8]
- Dwight Eisenhower (1969): Eisenhower was lying in repose at the cathedral before lying in state
- Ronald Reagan (2004)[9]
- Gerald Ford (2007)
- George H.W. Bush (2018)
Memorial services were also held for presidents Warren G. Harding, William Taft, Calvin Coolidge, Harry S Truman, and Richard M. Nixon.[8]
Washington National Cathedral Media
National Cathedral in DC
The west rose window was dedicated in 1977 in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II and President Jimmy Carter.
Washington National Cathedral Looking SE
Washington National Cathedral
- REAGANWNC
On the eve of the March for Our Lives rally, a prayer and vigil was held at the Washington National Cathedral. A banner hangs in the church which reads, "United to Stop Gun Violence" (Just barely visible in the center of the photo).
Washington National Cathedral undergoing repairs in 2017
Looking east, looking up to the choir of the cathedral
Ceiling of Washington National Cathedral.
National Cathedral
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References
- ↑ "WNC: Facts and Figures". Archived from the original on 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2008-04-25.
- ↑ "Cathedral Timeline". Washington National Cathedral. Archived from the original on 2008-10-22. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- ↑ "Magnitude 5.8 - VIRGINIA". usgs.gov. U.S. Geological Survey. 2011-08-23. Retrieved 2011-08-23.[dead link]
- ↑ Barkley, Tom (2011-08-23). Washington National Cathedral Damaged by Quake. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903327904576526922053659268.html?mod=googlenews_wsj. Retrieved 2011-08-23.
- ↑ Washington National Cathedral damaged in earthquake. 2011-08-24. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/washington-national-cathedral-damaged-in-earthquake/2011/08/24/gIQAb8iecJ_gallery.html#photo=1. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
- ↑ Kelle, Jared (2011-08-24). At National Cathedral, Concerns About Damage From Hurricane Irene. https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/08/at-national-cathedral-concerns-about-damage-from-hurricane-irene/244039/. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
- ↑ Damaged by earthquake, National Cathedral has fallen trees, no major damage from hurricane. 2011-08-28. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/damaged-by-earthquake-national-cathedral-has-fallen-trees-no-major-damage-from-hurricane/2011/08/28/gIQATleNlJ_story.html. Retrieved 2011-08-30.[dead link]
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Services Following Deaths of American Presidents". Washington National Cathedral. Archived from the original on 2012-08-13. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
- ↑ State Funeral for President Ronald W. Reagan June 11, 2004 Archived August 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Nationalcathedral.org