Our last day of sight-seeing with Bill, my fifth cousin, twice removed from New Zealand. The time spent together has gone by all too quickly. We asked him if he would like to see the Cathedral, as we had mentioned it several times before on our list of suggestions. Today was the day.
It is hard to get all in one frame. You can see a a photographic slide show here. There was still restorative work going on from the earthquake we had in our area back in August 2011. More on that in another post.
After talking to a very nice police officer at the entrance, I ventured on to look around the Cathedral, while Gregg and Bill chatted with him for a while. You may just be able to make them out on the other side of the photo below. The Washington National Cathedral has its own police force.
We were able to take photos until the service started at noon.
The photo below shows the Bethlehem Chapel of the Holy Nativity, and has been open since 1912. Beneath the altar is the Cathedral's foundation stone, which contains a piece of rock from a field near Bethlehem. It was set on September 29th, 1907, in a ceremony attended by President Theodore Roosevelt. You can read more at the above link if interested.
You can also see Bill taking a photo of the altar.
We exited the cathedral at another entrance.
We took a walk around the Bishop's Garden and entered through this doorway.
I remembered it being a very pretty garden. It has been years since the last time we came here, at least since before that earthquake I mentioned.
I will have more photos to show you soon.
Amazing pictures, I am blown away, I bet it is even more impressive in person. Bill is a lucky man.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jimmy, the cathedral is amazing. We would need several hours and then maybe another day to see it all.
DeleteThe Cathedral is dramatic and beautiful - and the garden simply glorious. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you EC, I agree, dramatic and beautiful.
DeleteThis is an extensive garden for a cathedral! And a bed of Cleomes, too. Your photo of that ceiling is my favorite, it is gorgeous!! Never heard of a church with it's own police, but nowadays large famous buildings cannot be too careful.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ginny, we had never heard of their own police either. We learned so much this day.
DeleteI just love your perspective in these photos, Denise! Thank you so much for sharing this fascinating and beautiful tour!
ReplyDeleteYou are so very welcome Linda and thank you :)
DeleteThe Cathedral is magnificient and so similar to English which I have visited. The garden is nice and useful to relax. Have a great Sunday
ReplyDeleteYes Gosia, the Cathedral also reminds me of ones I have seen in England, and elsewhere. Have a great week :)
DeleteOnce again thanks for this virtual tour of of a building we missed while in Washington. Not sure how we came to miss this!!! Take care Diane
ReplyDeleteThere is never enough time to see everything is there Diane? We always find this when we go on holiday. We see a lot but then there is always something that we miss because we just simply run out of time.
DeleteI love looking round Cathedrals, no matter where they are. I'm sure Bill had a great time with you, and seeing so much. I have certainly enjoyed seeing all your photographs.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Valerie.
Deletemy favorite place in the cathedral is the one with bill taking the shot of the alter, I love the cozy look of that part. it is beautiful
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely Sandra. Such a quiet place you could hear a pin drop.
DeleteDenise, enjoyed viewing the Bishop’s Garden paintings. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHappy you enjoyed it Doug and you are very welcome :)
DeleteHello, beautiful shots of the cathedral. I love the view of the tower and sky on the first shot. The cathedral is lovely inside and out. The garden is pretty too. Looks like a great place to take your cousin. Happy Sunday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.
ReplyDeleteThank you Eileen and the same to you :)
DeleteI've actually never visited the Cathedral and it looks like I have missed a treat both in the beautiful cathedral itself and the gardens. Next time we go back we will have to include this. It really looks like you had a great visit with your cousin!
ReplyDeleteThank you Marie, we had a great time.
DeleteHi Denise and what a stunning Cathedral for Bill to visit on his last day, a really impressive structure. All the best, John
ReplyDeleteThank you John and the same to you, Denise :)
DeleteSuch a wonderful place where you live -- so much history and beauty relatively nearby.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great place for history Sallie, that's for sure.
DeleteLove the garden and it's pathways. The cathedral is gorgeous...it looks huge inside.
ReplyDeleteThank you Terri, it is a beautiful area.
DeleteAnother place we did not see in Washington so many thanks for these virtual tours that I am enjoying so much. Have a fab day Diane
ReplyDeleteThank you Diane and the same to you :)
DeleteThanks, Denise, for this photo tour of the Washington National Cathedral which I have never visited. However, after seeing this post, it's a sight that should definitely be on our travel list; what a magnificent structure.
ReplyDeleteHope you get back here sometime. We would love to take you there.
DeleteUtterly magnificent. I understand there's a gargoyle face on the outside of Darth Vader.
ReplyDeleteI have seen photos of the Darth Vader gargoyle. It is located on the 'darke side' of the cathedral :)
DeleteBeautiful cathedral!
ReplyDeleteTotally :)
DeleteHi Denise, I've missed your blog for a while but saw Red's comment (On his Hiawatha House blog) and came over to take a look. Wow, some really great photos from your trip to Washington DC. (Folks here in Seattle call it the "other Washington") :-) Thanks for sharing your excellent photography!
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you John and thank you. I enjoy checking out Red's blog too and have enjoyed catching up with yours. They called your Washington, Washington State here :)
DeleteJust simply amazine...hard to imagine seeing it built.
ReplyDeleteIt was quite a fete :)
Delete