St. Nicholas Cathedral (Washington, D.C.) facts for kids
St. Nicholas Cathedral is a very important church in Washington, D.C.. It is the main church, or primatial cathedral, for the Orthodox Church in America. This is where Archbishop Tikhon, the leader of the church in America and Canada, has his main office. The church's name in Russian is Russian: Свято-Николаевский собор.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
How the Church Started
The church began in 1930. It was first known as the Russian Orthodox Church of Saint Nicholas. It started as a local church for people in the area.
Building a National Church
In 1949, church leaders decided something special. They said this church should be a National War Memorial Shrine. This meant it would honor those who served in wars. A big effort then began to build a large, impressive Orthodox church. This new church would be in Washington, D.C., the capital city of the United States.
Key Building Dates
- The land for the cathedral was bought in 1951.
- The basement part of the church was finished in 1954. Church services were held there for several years.
- The main part of the church, called the superstructure, was completed in late 1962.
- A special bell tower was added in 1988. This tower celebrated 1,000 years of Christianity in Russia.
Design and Art Inside
Cathedral Architecture
The way St. Nicholas Cathedral is built looks like an older church. Its design is based on the St. Demetrius Cathedral. This older church is from the 12th century and is located in Vladimir, Russia.
Beautiful Icons and Paintings
Starting in 1991, talented artists came from Moscow. They were led by Alexander Maskalionov. These artists painted many icons inside the main part of the church, called the nave. They used a traditional style for these paintings. All of this detailed artwork was finished in 1994.
Finding the Cathedral
Where It Is Located
St. Nicholas Cathedral is at 3500 Massachusetts Avenue NW. It is on the corner of Edmund Street in Washington, D.C.
Getting There by Bus
- Buses 31, 32, and 36 stop very close to the cathedral.
- Buses 37, N2, N3, N4, and N6 stop right outside the church. They stop at the Massachusetts Avenue-Edmunds Street intersection.
Getting There by Metro
There is no Metro station directly at the cathedral. However, you can walk from a few nearby Metro stops. These include Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, and Van Ness-UDC.
