Sacred space: A photographic tour of the Washington National Cathedral

On Christmas, we take a look at a sacred place, the Washington National Cathedral, in this photographic slideshow by Sally Morrow, RNS' multimedia editor.

The Washington National Cathedral interior framed through a stone detail on the Cathedral's balcony on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

(RNS) Built between 1907 and 1990, the Washington National Cathedral has hosted many presidential funerals, including Ronald W. Reagan’s in 2004. The cathedral was also the site of the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance service after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and houses the pulpit from which Martin Luther King, Jr. preached his final sermon in 1968.

Religion News Service photographs by Sally Morrow

Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow


Details are carved in stone columns outside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

Details are carved in stone columns outside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

A voluteer stands back to check her flower arrangement in one of the many chapels inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

A voluteer stands back to check her flower arrangement in one of the many chapels inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

Tourists walk through the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

Tourists walk through the nave at the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

Sunlight reflects through a stained glass window inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

Sunlight reflects through a stained glass window inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

A couple lights a candle inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

A couple lights a candle inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

Tiny chairs are lined up inside the Children's Chapel inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

Tiny chairs are lined up inside the Children’s Chapel inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

A visiting group of students listens during a tour of the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

A visiting group of students listens during a tour of the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

A statue of George Washington is draped in sunlight through an archway inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

A statue of George Washington is draped in sunlight through an archway inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow


Sun shines through details of skulls on a stained glass window that depicts the story of Noah's Ark inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

Sun shines through details of skulls on a stained glass window that depicts the story of Noah’s Ark inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

The Washington National Cathedral interior framed through a stone detail on the Cathedral's balcony on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

The Washington National Cathedral interior framed through a stone detail on the Cathedral’s balcony on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

An up-close view of the Creation Rose stained glass windoe inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

An up-close view of the rose stained glass window titled, “Creation,” inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

Light falls through the stained glass windows inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

Light falls through the stained glass windows inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

A view from the balcony inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

A view from the balcony inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

One of the many stained glass windows inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

One of the many stained glass windows inside the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow


Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

A view of the damage caused by the 2011 earthquake being repaired at the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

A view of the damage caused by the 2011 earthquake being repaired at the Washington National Cathedral on June 12, 2015. Religion News Service photo by Sally Morrow

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