The U.S. National Cathedral was completed 83 years (to the day!) after it was begun. It was begun September 29, 1907 and finished on September 29, 1990. The first track of land for the Cathedral site was purchased in 1898 for almost 250,000 dollars. It is the sixth largest cathedral in the world and the second largest in the nation. Only St. John’s in New York City is larger.
The total cost of building the Cathedral was 65 million dollars all raised through private donation. The Cathedral has a staff of 75 people as well as over 1000 volunteers keeping it operational and running. It welcomes nearly 700,000 visitors and worshipers annually.
Interesting Facts
The central tower is 676 feet above sea level making it the highest point in the District of Columbia.
110 gargoyles festoon the Cathedral.
There are 10,650 pipes in the Great Organ.
More than 200 people are interred in the Cathedral including Woodrow Wilson and Helen Keller.
There are 215 stained glass windows in the Cathedral.
The Cathedral weighs 150, 000 tons, and the average weight of each stone used is 300 pounds.
288 angels adorn the two west towers.
