Drawing in those who enter Washington D.C.’s National Cathedral is the complex artistry of 215 prominent stained glass windows, emblazoned by the daylight.
The Cathedral includes more than 40 colorfully articulated windows with biblical accounts and Episcopal symbols created by the late stained glass artist, Rowan Lecompte.
Located in the nave of the church resides the Rose Window, alternatively referred to as “Creation.” Implemented in 1976, it is considered to be one of the cathedral’s most sought-out windows due to its complex artistry in the portrayal of the four Greek elements of earth, air, fire and water, according to the National Cathedral website.
Lecompte’s work has also included a juxtaposition of space and religion, the “Space Window.” The cathedral window enshrines a seven-gram moon sample, delivered personally by the Apollo 11 astronauts, Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins. The window was created in 1974.
The artistry of stained glass windows extends throughout the country, including Diane Cairns, owner of Virginia Stained Glass Company in Springfield, Virginia. Cairns’ 24-year-old business has created windows for religious congregations, organizations and homes.
“As far as the National Cathedral is concerned, they are beautiful and large windows, [and] have been there for a long time,” Cairns’ said about the National Cathedral’s windows. “I was disappointed when they removed the Civil War windows, as the reason why stained glass was invented [was] to teach stories of the Bible and history that people did not read or understand. Replacing history is not a good thing so we do not repeat our mistakes.”
The two Civil War windows that were taken down in fall 2017 were of Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson due to their honoring of Confederate soldiers, according to NPR.
The art of stained glass has not only made a lasting impression on artists, but the volunteers of the National Cathedral as well. Docent Bob Faltynek has been at the cathedral for the last seven years.
“The thing that you can’t miss seeing is the stained glass,” Faltynek said. “I think it’s fair to say that this is one of the best collections of contemporary and modern stained glass anyplace in this country. The overwhelming color affects without even thinking of the stories or the backgrounds.”