When Thomas Jefferson arrived in Washington, D.C., as president
in 1800, there were so few churches that he began a custom of
Sunday preaching in the House of Representatives. Members of each
denomination represented in Congress provided distinguished clergy
as guest speakers.
When Thomas Jefferson arrived in Washington, D.C., as president in 1800, there were so few churches that he began a custom of Sunday preaching in the House of Representatives. Members of each denomination represented in Congress provided distinguished clergy as guest speakers.
“Separation of church and state” was not as highly regarded in those days, and the Marine Band led the congregation in singing hymns. More formal services were held by Scottish Presbyterians in a corridor of the Treasury Building.
Churches began to be built at a rapid rate, but because the congregations were generally poor, ministers often held government jobs to support themselves. Today the Washington metropolitan area has more than 800 churches representing a remarkable diversity of faiths. Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to see many of them, and on a recent visit I renewed my acquaintance with some of my favorites.
Perched atop Mt. St. Albans, the highest point in the District of Columbia, Washington National Cathedral (officially known as the Cathedral Church of Saints Peter and Paul) stands as a symbol of the religious heritage of our country. In 1883 Congress granted its charter to the Episcopal Church, and the cornerstone was laid by Theodore Roosevelt in 1907. Although construction was expected to continue on this massive Gothic-style building (sixth largest cathedral in the world) for 100 years, it was completed in 1990.
It is notable as the site of many important national ceremonies, for example the Memorial Service for the victims of the 9-11 tragedy. Among its attractions are a 53-bell carillon and tombs of people like Admiral Dewey, Woodrow Wilson, and Helen Keller. Visitors shouldn’t miss the view from the observation gallery which is open to the public.
Another notable landmark is the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the grounds of the Catholic University of America. In the early 1900s planning began to build a great church to express the American public’s devotion to Mary. Construction started in 1920, and a campaign solicited donations of one dollar from every woman named any variation of “Mary.” This Romanesque-Byzantine style building, the largest Catholic church in the United States, was completed in 1959 and has 57 chapels with one of the largest collections of mosaics in the world.
There are many other religious sites available to those who wish a break from visiting the famous government buildings to see something a bit more spiritual:
• St. John’s Episcopal Church is called “the Church of the Presidents” because it is right across Lafayette Square from the White House and every president since it was built in 1816 has worshiped there at one time or another.
• In northwest Washington is located National Presbyterian Church, a dramatic complex featuring a Chapel of the Presidents (with memorabilia like Ronald and Nancy Reagan’s hymnals), a sanctuary seating nearly 1300, and a soaring carillon tower. Its cornerstone was laid by Dwight Eisenhower in 1967.
• The Islamic Center, near many Mideastern embassies, has a 160-foot minaret; its five daily calls to prayer broadcast by loudspeakers are heard far away, and it features changing exhibitions on the Koran and Muslim life. In the Maryland suburb of Kensington is the Washington Mormon Temple. Although the stunning white marble building is closed to the public, the nearby visitors’ center provides free showings of educational videos about the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• Washington Hebrew Congregation has a 2300 seat synagogue featuring two massive stone tablets which separate during services to reveal the ark, which holds the scrolls of the Torah. Its cornerstone was laid by Harry Truman in 1952.
