WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL’S WAR MEMORIAL CHAPEL:


Chapel of Honor W


ASHINGTON National Cathe- dral, officially


known as the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, is a magnificent build- ing of soaring spires, an im- mense nave, grand flying buttresses, and heavenly organ music. Each year, the cathedral plays host to nearly 700,000 visitors and worshipers who are un- doubtedly impressed by its spectacular architecture and imposing physical size. For instance,


the cathedral’s


central tower stands more than 300 feet high, and no fewer than 215 stained glass windows let beauti- ful, multicolored light into its cavernous interior. The two west towers of the ca- thedral are covered in 288


sculpted angels, and altogether the en- tire edifice weighs in at an astonishing 150,000 tons.


For many visitors, however, the


most awesome part of the cathedral is a relatively small chapel tucked away in the south transept of the building, a part of the cathedral known as the Patriots’ Transept. Called War Memorial Chapel, it is dedicated to all those who have ever served in the US armed forces, and it is filled with symbolic art and architecture meant to honor the sacrifices made by those who have helped stoke the fires of freedom.


u Magnificent Washington National Cathedral is home to many beautiful works of art and architec- ture and plays host to nearly 700,000 visitors and worshipers each year. For many visitors, however, the most awesome part of the cathedral is War Memorial Chapel.


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The Freedom Windows War Memorial Chapel was first conceived in 1946 and was dedicated in 1957 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Queen Elizabeth II of England. Upon entering the chapel, many visitors’ eyes are immediately drawn to its three sets of stained glass windows. Collectively known as the


M A Y 2 0 1 2


PHOTO: ©JAMES P. BLAIR/CORBIS


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