Washington National Cathedral

===National role===
[[File:WashNatCathedralx1.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the Washington National Cathedral|upright=1.2]]

From its earliest days, the cathedral has been promoted as more than simply an Episcopal cathedral. Planners hoped it would play a role similar to [[Westminster Abbey]]. They wanted it to be a national shrine and a venue for great services. For much of the cathedral's history, this was captured in the phrase "a house of prayer for all people." In more recent times the phrases "national house of prayer" and "spiritual home for the nation" have been used. The cathedral has achieved this status simply by offering itself and being accepted by religious and political leaders as playing this role.<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Morales |first=Teresa F. |title=The Last Stone is Just the Beginning: A Rhetorical Biography of Washington National Cathedral |date=2013 |publisher=Georgia State University |url=https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/communication_diss/42/ |language=en}}</ref>

Its initial charter was similar to those granted to [[American University]], [[Catholic University of America|The Catholic University of America]], and other not-for-profit entities founded in the District of Columbia {{circa|1900}}. Contrary to popular misconception, the government has not designated it as a national house of prayer.

During World War II, monthly services were held there "on behalf of a united people in a time of emergency."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2DGogo0|title=Foundation stone for Washington National Cathedral is laid, Sept. 29, 1907|last=Andrew Glass|website=POLITICO|date=September 29, 2018 |language=en|access-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref> Before and since, the structure has hosted other major events, both religious and secular, that have drawn the attention of the American people, as well as tourists from around the world.