THE WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL
The Washington National Cathedral T
he idea for a national cathedral is as old as Washington itself. In 1791, when Congress selected the site of the capital of the United States, President George Washington commissioned Major Pierre L’Enfant to design an overall plan for the future seat of government. Included in the plan that evolved from that commission was a church “intended for national purposes, such as public prayer, thanksgiving, funeral orations, etc., and assigned to the special use of no particular Sect or denomination, but equally open to all.”
Stewart W. Miner, Grand Secretary Emeritus Largely through the efforts of community leaders such as Riggs Bank President, Charles C. Glover, plans for the Washington National Cathedral evolved, and on January 6, 1893, Congress granted a charter allowing the establishment of a Cathedral and institutions of higher learning. This charter was signed by the President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison. It was not until September 29, 1907, however, that the cornerstone was laid, at which time Brother Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States, spoke to the 10,000 people who were present. Over the years leading to its completion in 1990, the Cathedral became a place for services of national focus. As mentioned elsewhere in this issue of the “Voice,” funeral services for several U.S. Presidents were conducted here. Moreover, it is the burial place for a number of notables, including Woodrow Wilson, Helen Keller, and Admiral George Dewey. While the Grand Lodge did not lay the cornerstone of the Cathedral, many prominent Masons were among the large crowd that witnessed the ceremony. Since then, however, the Grand Lodge has, on numerous occasions, visited the Cathedral to celebrate events of national or fraternal import. As early as September 25, 1910, for example, in response to a warm invitation extended by the Rt. Rev. Alfred Harding, Bishop of Washington, the Grand Lodge participated in a special service at the Cathedral site. More than 3,500 Masons attended on that occasion.
The Cathedral was completed eighty-three years to the day after it was begun (September 29, 1907–September 29, 1990).
The Grand Lodge again participated in services at the Cathedral on November 25, 1937, when under the leadership of Grand Master Paul E. Cromelin, the Grand Lodge was opened in the St. Joseph of Arimathea Chapel in a Special Communication that was called to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the compilation of the Constitution of the United States. At that time the sermon was delivered by the Rt. Rev. James E. Freeman, Bishop of Washington.
The Voice of Freemasonry
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