Washington National Cathedral, also called the National Cathedral, is an Episcopal church in Washington, D.C. Its official name is the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
The building is laid out in the form of a Latin cross (see Cross). It is 525 feet (160 meters) long and 275 feet (84 meters) wide at its widest point. It is English Gothic in style, with pointed arches and vaulted ceilings. The cathedral is noted for its rich stone carvings and beautiful stained-glass windows. Stones from historic buildings and shrines in all parts of the world were used in building it. The Gloria tower of the cathedral contains a large carillon with 53 bells and a 10-bell English peal.
Work on the cathedral began in 1907, and services have been held in some of its chapels since 1912. The building was consecrated in 1990. President Woodrow Wilson is among the well-known people buried in the cathedral.
