WASHINGTON DC, United States — Bethlehem Chapel in the Washington National Cathedral. The chapel, completed in 1912, was the first portion of the Cathedral to be finished. It features a limestone altar with a carved depiction of Jesus' birth and stained glass windows illustrating the Nativity story in 15th-century English style.
Photograph by David Coleman. Bethlehem Chapel, located within the Washington National Cathedral, holds a significant place in the Cathedral's history and architecture. Completed in 1912, it was the first portion of the Cathedral to be finished and has hosted daily services ever since. The chapel's design reflects a late 19th-century interpretation of Gothic architecture, blending historical elements with American religious traditions. The chapel's centerpiece is its limestone altar, featuring a central panel depicting the birth of Jesus, carved from a single block of stone. Behind the altar, stained glass windows narrate the Nativity story in stunning detail, employing a 15th-century English style. The chapel's needlepoint kneelers are adorned with symbols of the Christmas story, including stars, mangers, camels, magi, shepherds, and angels, further emphasizing its connection to Bethlehem. Beneath the altar lies the Cathedral's foundation stone, set on September 29, 1907, in a ceremony attended by President Theodore Roosevelt. The stone contains a piece of rock from a field near Bethlehem and is inscribed with the words "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). Bethlehem Chapel also serves as the final resting place for two notable figures: Bishop Henry Yates Satterlee, the first Episcopal bishop of Washington and a key figure in the Cathedral's construction, is interred behind the altar. Additionally, the tomb of Admiral George Dewey, hero of the Spanish-American War and later a member of the Cathedral Chapter, is located within the chapel. As an integral part of the Washington National Cathedral, Bethlehem Chapel exemplifies the broader historical and architectural significance of this landmark. It stands as a testament to early 20th-century American church design and the ongoing importance of religious spaces in the nation's capital.
Size: 3960px × 2970px
Location: Cathedral, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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