Washington DC is not only home to stately government buildings and magnificent museums, but it is also a hub for beautiful and historically and culturally-significant churches of various denominations owing to the United States’ rich Judeo-Christian foundation. These grand places of worship make excellent inclusions for destinations of Christian history tours of Washington DC. Their architecture and interiors inspire awe in anyone who visits these churches. Their rich history enriches every spiritual journey within their structures.
Here are some of the historic and magnificent churches of Washington DC that you may want to include on your next Washington DC Christian tour.
National Cathedral
The National Cathedral in Washington DC, which belongs to the Episcopal Church, is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Aside from a place of worship, it is also a center of civic activities in DC. With its neo-Gothic architectural style, total with magnificent stained-glass windows, flying buttresses, and eerie gargoyles, the cathedral looks older than its real age. Building started in 1907 and was finished 83 years later in 1990. Despite being a lot newer than its European, the National Cathedral can definitely hold its own in regards to charm and splendor. In addition to its religious importance, memorials of national significance also fill the cathedral. Amongst its stained glass is the Space Window which portrays Apollo 11’s moon landing, with a fragment of lunar rock at its center. Statues of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are also inside the cathedral, while state flags adorn the nave. The cathedral also has vast premises with herb plants, roses, and a 13th-century arch. And for the hungry soul, there’s also a cafe serving coffee, pastries, brunch, and lunch located in the 1904 Old Baptistry.
National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Basilica
The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Basilica is the largest Catholic church in North America and one of the top ten largest churches in the world. The church is so large that it took almost a century to complete construction. Building the basilica began in 1920 but was only completed in 2017. The church serves the nearby Catholic University of American and is the seat of the United States Catholic Bishops’ Conference. The basilica is also designated as a National Sanctuary of Prayer and Pilgrimage. It proudly holds the largest collection of contemporary ecclesiastical art in the world. The National Shrine is open 365 days a year and features daily guided tours, a Catholic Gift Shop, a Catholic Book Store, and a cafeteria.
St. John’s Church
St. John’s Church in Lafayette Square in Sixteenth Street is a historic Episcopal Church right across the White House. Appropriately called the President’s Church almost every president from James Madison, has attended at least one service in the church during their terms. And from the time of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, except Richard Nixon, the church has been part of the inaugural rites of the new president.
Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle
The Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in 1725 Rhode Island Avenue is the seat of the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington DC. Dedicated to St. Matthew the Apostle, a tax collector and patron saint of civil servants, the cathedral is fittingly at the center of government of the United States. The church structure is made with red brick sandstone adorned with terra cotta trimmings designed in the Romanesque style with Byzantine elements. Worldwide attention focused on St. Matthew’s Cathedral after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy as the location of the Pontifical Requiem low mass offered for his funeral. The cathedral is also the location of Red Masses in the United States often held on a Sunday preceding the first Monday of October before the term of the United States Supreme Court begins each year celebrated to request guidance to the Holy Spirit for the legal profession.
Foundry United Methodist Church
Foundry United Methodist Church has actually been a spiritual leader in Washington DC for more than 186 years. Initially located in Georgetown and later on at 14th and G, the church has been house to presidents, members of Congress, and others in public service. In 1995, Foundry affirmed that it was a reconciling congregation, maintaining the belief that we are being reconciled to God and to one another. The existing place is in Washington’s Dupont Circle community.
Georgetown Presbyterian Church
The Georgetown Presbyterian Church history spans more than two centuries since its establishment of the congregation in 1780. It is the oldest congregation of any denomination still in existence in Washington DC. Being the first Christian church in Washington DC, it has been a venue for many baptisms, weddings, and funerals of different denominations in the nation’s capital for many years since the establishment of the city. The church bells of the Georgetown Presbyterian tolled after the death of George Washington. The church also gained its place in US history when it was transformed into a hospital for Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.
Nineteenth Street Baptist Church
Located in Nineteenth Street, popularly known to Washingtonians as Church Row, this Baptist congregation traces its history back to 1839 when some African American congregants of the First Baptist Church decided to become independent to avoid facing prejudice and segregation. The structure is a stunning rectangular place of worship made from grey limestone. Some of the interior accouterments stay the same, reflecting the previous inhabitants, while much of it has actually been upgraded to show the new. There is a Star of David gracing the front entrance tiles of the foyer. Within the Star of David is a map of Israel. The symbol results in a prayer space stressed by a stained-glass window portraying Jesus in holy reflection. Crosses and bible passages were added to three of the entrances, and the interior pulpit has actually been re-orchestrated to accommodate the Baptist services.
These are just some of the beautiful and historic churches in the nation’s capital. Together with the city’s government buildings, monuments, and museums, these places of worship are a must-visit for your Washington DC faith tour.