Cathedral Celebrates 50-Year Dedication of the Space Window 

July 10, 2024

WASHINGTON — Washington National Cathedral will celebrate 50 years of its iconic Space Window on July 19 and 20 with an array of space-themed activities, musical recitals and guided tours.

Close-up of the Space Window

 Attendees will have the unique opportunity to check out and learn about the 3-billion-year-old moon rock brought back by Apollo 11 astronauts and installed at the Cathedral in 1974.

Featured events include:

  • Stargazing on the Cathedral lawn (July 19, 8 pm), in partnership with the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum
  • Space Window and Cathedral Architecture Sightseeing
  • Space Explorers Family Story Time in the 7th Floor Pilgrim Observation Gallery
  • Curator Show-and-Tell: Darth Vader at the Cathedral
  • Hands-on exhibits with the National Air and Space Museum’s Explainers Program (July 19)
  • Space-themed LEGO® building at the LEGO® Exhibit
  • Carillon Recital: Journey to Space on the Cathedral Grounds (July 20, 12:30 pm)
  • Thematic Stained Glass, Behind-the-Scenes, and Space Edition Spotlights Guided Tours

Children ages 12 and under receive free admission with the minimum purchase of one regular-priced Adult Self-Sightseeing ticket. Tickets can be purchased here.

The Space Window is perhaps the Cathedral’s best-known stained glass window. In the center of the large red circle, a smaller circle contains a sliver of moon rock brought back by the Apollo 11 mission. The lunar stone was presented to the Cathedral by the Apollo 11 astronauts Michael Collins, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin at the window’s dedication in 1974. At the bottom of the window an inscription quotes the biblical book of Job: “Is not God in the height of Heaven?”

What: Space Window 50th anniversary celebration with space-themed activities,   concerts and guided tours
Where: Main Floor Space Window, Pilgrim Observation Gallery, LEGO® Exhibit, and Cathedral Grounds; Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
When: July 19 and 20, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

###

MEDIA CONTACTS
Christine Lamitina, West End Strategy
414-514-8009, [email protected]

###

About Washington National Cathedral
Grounded in the reconciling love of Jesus Christ, Washington National Cathedral is a house of prayer for all people, conceived by our founders to serve as a great church for national purposes.