Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle (Washington, D.C.) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral of St. Matthewthe Apostle |
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Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C. in April 2013
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 Location in Central Washington, D.C.
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| 38°54′22″N 77°2′24″W / 38.90611°N 77.04000°W | |
| Location | 1725 Rhode Island Avenue NW Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Website | stmatthewscathedral.org |
| History | |
| Founded | 1840, 185 years ago |
| Dedication | Saint Matthew |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | C. Grant La Farge |
| Style | Renaissance Revival Romanesque Revival |
| Completed | 1913 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 1,200 |
| Length | 155 feet (47 m) |
| Width | 136 feet (41 m) |
| Height | 200 feet (61 m) |
| Number of domes | One |
| Dome height (outer) | 190 feet (58 m) |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Washington |
The Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, often called St. Matthew's Cathedral, is a very important Catholic church in Washington, D.C.. It is the main church for the Archbishop of the Washington area. Since 1974, it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special building with historical importance.
The cathedral is located in downtown Washington. You can find it at 1725 Rhode Island Avenue NW. It is between Connecticut Avenue and 17th Street. The closest subway station is Farragut North. It is also not far from the White House.
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History of St. Matthew's Cathedral
St. Matthew's Cathedral is named after Matthew the Apostle. He is known as the patron saint (a special protector) of people who work for the government. This is because he used to be a tax collector. The church was first started in 1840 by Father William Matthews.
The first church building was dedicated on November 1, 1840. It was located at 15th and H Streets. Work on the current beautiful church building began much later, in 1893. The very first Mass (a Catholic church service) was held there on June 2, 1895. The church was fully finished and dedicated in 1913. In 1939, it became the main cathedral for the new Archdiocese of Washington.
Architecture and Design
The cathedral is built with red brick. It also has sandstone and terra cotta decorations. Its style is called Romanesque Revival. It also has some Byzantine design elements. The architect who designed it was C. Grant La Farge.
The church is shaped like a Latin cross. It is about 155 feet long and 136 feet wide. It can hold about 1,200 people. Inside, the church is decorated with beautiful marble and special stones. There is a large, 35-foot mosaic of Saint Matthew behind the main altar. This mosaic was created by Edwin Blashfield.
The cathedral has a large, eight-sided dome. This dome rises 190 feet above the main part of the church. A small tower and a cross on top make the total height about 200 feet. Between 2000 and 2003, the church was carefully cleaned and repaired.
Important Events at the Cathedral
St. Matthew's Cathedral has been the site of many important events. One of the most famous was the funeral of John F. Kennedy, the President of the United States. He was assassinated on November 22, 1963. His funeral Mass was held at the cathedral on November 25, 1963. After the service, his casket was taken to Arlington National Cemetery for burial.
Another special event was when Pope John Paul II visited Washington, D.C., in 1979. He celebrated a Mass at the cathedral. In 1997, the funeral for U.S. Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. was also held here.
The cathedral is also famous for hosting the "Red Mass." This special Mass happens every year. It takes place the day before the Supreme Court of the United States starts its new term. During the Red Mass, people pray for guidance for everyone in the legal profession. Important leaders like the Justices of the Supreme Court, members of Congress, and even the President of the United States often attend. Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first president to attend in 1954. Harry S. Truman attended as vice president nine years earlier.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the cathedral held an Easter Mass that was broadcast online. Archbishop Wilton Gregory led the Mass. No church members were there in person due to safety rules.
Before his inauguration, Joe Biden attended Mass at the church. He was joined by other important political leaders. These included Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.
Crypt
Near the entrance of the St. Francis Chapel is a special burial area called a crypt. It has eight tombs. These tombs are meant for the archbishops of Washington. Three former archbishops are buried there: Patrick Cardinal O’Boyle, William Cardinal Baum, and James Cardinal Hickey.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de San Mateo el Apóstol (Washington D. C.) para niños
