The Cathedral, officially the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, is amazing and has so many wonderful architectural details.

 

 

 

A crucifixion scene is high overhead on the rood beam (“rood” is an old word meaning cross or crucifix).

 

The sculpture on the Canterbury Pulpit depicts people and scenes relating to the translation of the Bible into English. Stones for the pulpit came from Canterbury Cathedral in England.

 

At the east end of the Cathedral nave is the HIGH ALTAR. One hundred and ten figures of men and women exemplifying the highest ideals of Christianity surround the central figure of Christ in Majesty, completing the iconographic story with the redemption of humankind through Jesus Christ.

 

 

There were several beautiful ornate iron gates throughout the Cathedral.

 

 

16th-Century tapestries tell the story of David and Goliath. There were several of these tapestries in St. Mary’s Chapel.

 

 

 

In the lower level (crypt) of the Cathedral are several chapels with new Testament imagery.

 

I’m pretty sure this is from the Bethlehem Chapel. The Cathedral’s foundation stone was placed on this site under what later became the altar of the Bethlehem Chapel. In 1912 this became the first part of the Cathedral to be completed, and a service has been held here every day since.

 

 

This is from the Chapel of St. Joseph of Arimathea. The mural tells the story of Jesus’ entombment following the crucifixion. This chapel and the Resurrection Chapel are primarily built in the Romanesque (or Norman) style of architecture featuring rounded arches and a heavier “feel” than the Gothic architecture. The use of this style here imitates the medieval custom of building a Gothic Cathedral over the crypt of an earlier, Romanesque one.

 

The Resurrection Chapel is decorated with colorful mosaics, portraying the appearances of Jesus after his resurrection.

 

Behind this iron gate is Helen Keller’s tomb

 

 

The tiny chapel of the Good Shepherd

 

 

 

While in the Crypt Dear and I were on a quest to find a special little nook. Several years ago we purchased a beautiful painting by our friend Patty Forte Linna that hangs in our living room. This next photo is our painting by Patty.

 

Patty was inspired to paint this from her visit to the Washington National Cathedral and seeing this special little area in the Crypt.  Dear spotted the area and pulled me aside to show me. This next photo was Patty’s inspiration.

 

Here they are side by side…

 

If you ever get the chance to visit Washington D.C. do not miss this beautiful Cathedral.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.