Washington National Cathedral

The structure is of Neo-Gothic design closely modeled on English Gothic style of the late fourteenth century. It is the second-largest church building in the United States, and the third-tallest building in Washington, D.C.

From its earliest days, the cathedral has been promoted as more than simply an Episcopal cathedral. Planners hoped it would play a role similar to Westminster Abbey. They wanted it to be a national shrine and a venue for great services. For much of the cathedral's history, this was captured in the phrase "a house of prayer for all people." In more recent times the phrases "national house of prayer" and "spiritual home for the nation" have been used. The cathedral has achieved this status simply by offering itself and being accepted by religious and political leaders as playing this role.

The cathedral is unique in North America in having both a carillon and a set of change ringing bells.

Just a few of the notable American citizens are buried in Washington National Cathedral are Helen Keller and her tutor Anne Sullivan, Admiral Dewey, President Woodrow wilson and his wife Edith.

The official name is The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. It is an American cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C. Construction began on September 29, 1907, when the foundation stone was laid in the presence of President Theodore Roosevelt and a crowd of more than 20,000, and ended 83 years later when the "final finial" was placed in the presence of President George H. W. Bush in 1990.