A tour of the National Cathedral in Washington

Hugh and Dolores recently took a tour of the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The magnificent building had just been reopened after it was damaged in the Aug. 23 earthquake.

Dolores writes: "This was a wonderful tour, through almost all chapels, except the St. Mary's, which was closed for decorating for the holidays." The photo above is of the High Altar, "with the Altar Guild hard at work."

The cathedral was constructed from 1907, when the first foundation stone was laid, to 1990, when the west towers were completed. It suffered significant earthquake damage, especially to the pinnacles of its towers, although it remains structurally sound. Repairs are expected to cost millions of dollars. Here are just a few pieces of broken stonework visible on the tour.



One of the many interesting features of the cathedral is the Space Window, a stained-glass window honoring man's landing on the moon, which includes a piece of lunar rock at its center.

"We had a delicious tea at the end of the tour -- tiny little cakes and sandwiches -- in one of the towers of the cathedral," Dolores writes.

"Here is a view out the window toward the other tower."