For other people, churches are considered as ‘third place.’ It is where you build your faith and communicate with God. Also, you will get to meet other people who share your spiritual journey.
Worshipping in a historic church makes you feel awe. With its magnificent architecture, you can’t help to stare and watch those beautiful ornate stained glass windows or even paintings.
Curbed stated that the capital city of the United States is home to a staggering number of impressive buildings. Since the city's population is so diverse, many different religions and cultural practices have also established roots there.
This, combined with the city's prowess in building, has resulted in some truly remarkable churches.
Here are the 10 historical churches with impressive architecture in Washington, D.C.:
Image: National Cathedral
- 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW
- World’s sixth-largest architecture
- Contact detail/s: Email: info@cathedral.org; Phone - (202) 537-6200
The gothic design has been used for centuries to inspire spiritual ascent. The sixth largest cathedral in the world is a place to contemplate God's presence amidst historical beauty. The church offers a virtual tour showcasing stained glass windows, historical figures, and more.
2. Nineteenth Street Baptist Church
Image: Nineteenth Street Baptist Church
- 4606 16th St. NW
- First and oldest Black Baptist church in the city of Washington
- Contact detail/s: Email: office@19thstreetbc.org; Phone - (202) 829-2773
The city's cultural and spiritual life has revolved around the church since 1839. Its work spreading the gospel, helping the needy, and promoting equality has garnered national and worldwide notice. With its structural design, grey limestone forms the rectangular church. Much of the inside has been remodeled, but some old furnishings remain.
3. Asbury United Methodist Church
Image: Asbury United Methodist Church|Facebook
- 926 11th St, NW
- One of the city's most influential African American Methodist churches
- Contact detail/s: Email: asburymail@asburyumcdc.org; Phone - (202) 628-0009
With its two-story structure of Gothic design and stained-glass windows, Asbury United Methodist Church is the city’s oldest African-American church to remain on its original site. According to the church, Asbury's history, customs, and ministries have been a source of pride and encouragement for its followers for years.
Image: All Souls Church Unitarian|Facebook
- 1500 Harvard St. NW
- Established in 1821 with a gorgeous bell tower
- Contact detail/s: Email: allsouls@allsouls.ws; Phone - (202) 332-5266
According to American Historical Association, All Souls Church Unitarian had many influential members in its early years, including John Quincy Adams, John C. Calhoun, and Charles Bulfinch. In 1822, Joseph Revere constructed the bell for the church.
5. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Image: The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
- 400 Michigan Ave. NE
- Largest Roman Catholic Church in the U.S. and one of the largest churches in the world
- Contact detail/s: Email: info@nationalshrine.org; Phone - (202) 526-8300
Its neo-Byzantine style gives the impression of a building from another time and place, one that is both ethereal and majestic. Curbed shared that the church was built from the ground up starting in 1920 and was completed 39 years. Inside the sacred walls of the shrine are a collection of mosaics in a Byzantine style, elegantly arranging the space and inspiring a sense of reverence and contemplation.
6. St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral
Image: Inside of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church|Facebook
- 3500 Massachusetts Ave. NW
- It is the Primatial Cathedral of the Orthodox Church in America
- Contact detail/s: Email: office@stnicholasdc.org; Phone - (202) 333-5060
St. Nicholas's tower was constructed atop the original church. It was planned by Anatoly Abramov-Neratoff, an expert on Russian medieval church architecture, and was inspired by the Cathedral of St. Dimitry in Vladimir, Russia. According to Only in Your State, the paintings of St. Nicholas Cathedral are some of the most vibrant and stunning. In addition to the spectacular chandeliers, the cathedral's tall windows let in an abundance of wonderful natural light.
7. Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle
Image: Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle|Spotting History
- 1725 Rhode Island Ave. NW
- The seat of the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Washington
- Contact detail/s: Phone - (202) 347-3215
Of all the places of worship in the United States, the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle stands out as one of the most stunning and fascinating, according to Holidify. This church is a true work of beauty, from the intricately painted paintings on the walls to the soaring domes.
Image: Metropolitan AME Church
- 1518 M St. NW
- Recognized as the cathedral of AME congregations throughout the United States
- Contact detail/s: Email: contact@metropolitanamec.org; Phone - (202) 331-1426
As stated on its website, The Baltimore Conference instructed the construction of the new church "in close proximity" to the Capitol and White House in 1872. Each Annual Conference was also asked to pay at least $100 for the building project.
The church honored each participating Annual Conference with a stained-glass window.
9. St. John’s Episcopal Church
Image: Wikipedia
- 3240 O St. NW
- The church has been at its current location since 1806 with its federal architecture
- Contact detail/s: Phone - (202) 338-1796
St. John's Episcopal Church was built in 1796 on Church of England land obtained in 1769. The DC Historic Sites mentioned that Congressional Architect William Thornton created the Federal-style church exterior in 1804.
The church had undergone frequent maintenance and refurbishment during the previous 30 years.
10. Chapel in Oak Hill Cemetery
Image: Oak Hill Cemetery
- 3001 R St. NW
- A national historic landmark located near Hillside Cemetery
- Contact detail/s: Email: info@oakhillcemeterydc.org; Phone - (202) 337-2835
Small but perfectly formed, the chapel at Oak Hill Cemetery is a magnificent example of Gothic Revival design. According to its website, for 164 years, the nondenominational Renwick Chapel has hosted funerals for presidents and cabinet officials. Apart from replacing its stained-glass windows in the 1880s and adding electricity and heating, the chapel has mostly stayed the same since 1853.
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