Photos at National City Christian Church

Rev. Stephen Gentle

Hello. Welcome to National City Christian Church. My name is Stephen Gentle and I am the senior pastor here at this historic church. I invite you to come with me on a tour of this Disciples National Cathedral here in the nation's capital.

Aerial View

National City Christian Church was dedicated October 19, 1930. It is one of the most beautiful church buildings in Washington, The style is Early American Classical. Situated on a terrace overlooking Thomas Circle, the building is approached by a broad flight of steps. The exterior is faced with Indiana limestone - 97 carloads. Ten Ionic columns enclose the portico.

Steeple

Rising from the facade of columns is a beautiful tower which goes up 164 feet above the portico floor. Architect John Russell Pope designed the building. He also designed the Jefferson Memorial as well as the National Archives and the old National Art Museum on the Mall.

Chandelier

After climbing the steps we enter the narthex. We look up and see a distinctive bronze chandelier. It is the only original chandelier left after the new lighting system was installed during the restoration in 1981.

Scottish Cross

Looking down we notice inlaid in the narthex terrazzo floor a cross design. This cross is a variation of the Scottish Cross. Two of our Disciples founders, Thomas and Alexander Campbell, immigrated to America from Ireland in the first decade of the nineteenth century. Of course, with the name Campbell we know they came from deep roots in southwest Scotland. Another founder, Walter Scott, immigrated directly from Scotland.

East Window

We look up to the east and then west and see two stained glass windows. These two narthex rose windows are in memory of Bernard "Pete" Chewning and in honor of the work of the laity of the church. Both windows were designed by Rowan LeCompte, who also designed two windows in the sanctuary (and at least 38 in the National Cathedral). The east window, lit by the rising sun, speaks of the coming of Christ, so its motif is a circle of color like a rich Christmas/Advent wreath, enclosing a cluster of lighted candles.

West Window

The west window glows with the light of Easter. On a warm background, gold, bronze and rose, appears an interwoven linear pattern like a crown of thorns. At its center is a spray of white lilies.

Sanctuary Doors

We now enter the sanctuary through brass-studded doors which are covered in twelve near-perfect American Holstein cowhides. We can almost hear the dedication music "Open the Gates of the Temple" coming down to us from dedication Sunday, October 19, 1930.

Nave

We are now in the nave of the sanctuary. The room is 180 feet long and 70 feet wide. The ceiling rises 57 feet above the floor - or about five stories.

Chancel

The half dome of the chancel (front of the church) reminds us somewhat of the design which Pope did about fifteen years later for the Jefferson Memorial.

Coffer

The square decorations on the ceiling are called coffers. There are 55 of them and the florets in the center alternate between dogwood blossoms, a symbol of the crucifixion, and the bursting pomegranate, a symbol of the resurrection.

State Pews

There are 33 pews on each side of the central aisle and seating capacity is a little less than 1,000. Brass plaques at the end of each pew also designate the state or organization. The pews are arranged alphabetically, alternating across the center aisle, to help you find your state pew.

State Pillows

At the end of each pew are hand-needle-pointed cushions, representing all fifty states, the U.S. territories, Canada, and other organizations important to the church.

Garfield Window

National City was the congregation of two sitting presidents. As we look to the left we see the James A. Garfield presidential window. While Garfield was in Washington, first as a representative from Ohio and then as president, he attended Vermont Avenue Christian Church, the church whose congregation became National City Christian Church. He became president on March 4, 1881, was shot July 2, 1881, and died September 19 of that same year. This window commemorates some of these events. The window’s theme is martyrdom, depicted in the central medallion by the stoning of Stephen, recalling the assassination of Garfield. In the window are symbols of his scholarship—a book, pen and ink. The seal of Hiram College where he served as president is seen. Also seen are the seals representing his governmental service in Ohio, the House of Representatives, the Senate, as well as the presidency.

Shanty

Pictured in the stained glass is the "shanty" where Garfield worshiped. Many citizens of Washington teased the little congregation by saying it was unbecoming for a president of the United States to worship in this "Campbellite shanty." Looking around at the magnificent space where this window is located, we understand why Hilda Koontz, author of our first history, entitled her book, From Shanty to Cathedral. The James Abram Garfield presidential window was dedicated in April 1981.

LBJ Window

Across from the Garfield window Lyndon Baines Johnson is memorialized with a presidential window. LBJ attended National City during his presidency. having grown up in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The central theme of this window is service, symbolized in the central medallion by the scene of Jesus washing Peter's feet and surrounded by four small scenes depicting elements of the Great Society - Medicare, civil rights, space program, and peace efforts. Near the center is the President's favorite biblical quotation, "Come Now, Let Us Reason Together."

Signing

One of President Johnson's most noted accomplishments is the signing of the voting rights act which was a significant advance in the civil rights movement. It is depicted in the window with a hand holding a quill.

Lady Bird Trees

Mrs. Johnson's work in beautifying America is symbolized by hands planting trees. Mrs. Johnson and her two daughters attended the dedication service in 1981.

Power Window

Dr. Frederick Power, Garfield's pastor, was a beloved minister of Vermont Avenue Christian Church for thirty-five years. The congregation became National City Christian Church in 1930. Dr. Power's congregation gave this window in appreciation for his faithful service to them as well as his service as chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives. The theme of the window is Christian Unity. The central medallion is the figure of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Above him is the Hand of God and the Dove, symbols of the Holy Spirit. The border is in small panels containing symbols of the twelve disciples.

Ella Long Window

Women have been significant in our life as a church as recognized in a window dedicated to Ella (Mrs. R.A.) Long. In keeping with her era, the theme of the window is the Christian home. The window pictures a mother with an open Bible with five children grouped around her. Mrs. Long, along with her husband, was an exemplary steward whose financial support contributed significantly toward the building of the sanctuary. Mr. Long was the first president of the National City Christian Church Corporation (now Foundation).

LBJ Pew

As we move toward the front of the sanctuary we will pass on the left the pew occupied by President and Mrs. Johnson when they worshiped here some fifty-five times during his years in the presidency. The official state funeral for President Johnson was held in this sanctuary. Hundreds of thousands joined in the celebration of his life through television.

The Evangel Window

In our next window, "The Evangel," we see the figure of the preaching, healing Christ. In the lower part of the window are two groups, showing the teaching ministry of Christ. This window was dedicated in 1961 to Dr. J. Warren Hastings who was pastor of the congregation from 1942 until 1960 and unofficial "Mayor of Thomas Circle." This is another Rowan LeCompte window.

LBJ Pillow

Our guests find this historic spot easy to locate because the women of the church made a needle-point cushion with the famous initials LBJ.

Chaplains' Window

Going through the doors under the Hastings window we see one of our most colorful stained glass windows. It was dedicated in 1981 in memory of eleven Disciples of Christ military chaplains who gave their lives in the line of duty. The kneeling figure in the central portion of the window expresses the theme, "Here am I, Send Me."

Communion Table

The communion table occupies the center of this sacred space as well as the center of our life as a congregation. At the time of persecution, the early Christians met secretly in the catacombs near Rome. The only places they had on which to serve communion were the burial crypts. This table is modeled after those crypts.

Chaplain Window Seals

The window contains the seals of the U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy military chaplains.

Lamb

On the front of the table the wide central panel contains a carving of the Lamb of God, with the triumphant Banner of Victory upon the Book of the Seven Seals.

Wheat

A narrow panel to one side contains a carving of sheaves of wheat representing the bread.

Grapes

On a corresponding panel on the the other side is a cluster of grapes symbolizing the wine.

Communion Service

On the communion table are a flagon and chalice that were part of the communion service that was used during President Garfield's time. Garfield participated in the communion service the Sunday before he was assassinated.

Screen

Behind the communion table and concealing the organ console is a carved screen containing a carving of Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper." It was carved by Alois Lang, nephew of the famous Lang who for so many years portrayed Christ in the Oberammergau Passion Play.

Organ Console

Behind the organ screen is the five manual organ console, the largest pipe organ console in Washington D.C. It's 219 drawknobs, 214 controls, and 256 levels of computer memory help control the organ's 7,000 pipes (both chancel and gallery organs).

Organ Pipes

In 1982, the Pearl Neugent Nordan Gallery Organ was installed, upon the completion of the sanctuary renovation. While the instrument is its own complete instrument and can be played from its own two-manual console, its pipes can also be played from the five manual console in the front of the sanctuary. The gallery organ's two most notable sounds are the brilliant and bold, horizontally-mounted, Trompette en Chamade. Behind the 10 wooden doors at the bottom of the organ's case are a set of 61 bronze English handbells which are playable from the organ's keyboards. It is the only set of handbells inside a pipe organ in the United States, was custom designed for the church by the Möller Organ Company, and is this organ's most famous stop.

Pulpit

We are a people of the Bible. Preaching is significant. Five marble steps lead up from the chancel to the pulpit which is octagonal in shape and of Cremo Italian marble, with a panel of St. Genevieve marble on the front of it containing a beautifully formed cross.

Baptistry

Not only are we a people of word and table, we are a community which continues the biblical form of baptism - immersion of believers. Our baptistry is made of Cremo Italian marble, with panels of St. Genevieve marble.

Pomegranate

The front panel, facing the nave, has a large carved disc of a bursting pomegranate, symbol of the resurrection.

Ark

On the side of the baptistry, facing the chancel, is another disc,containing a carving of the ark, with the dove and olive branch, symbolizing salvation.

Dove

Above the marble steps leading from the baptistry to a baptismal chapel is a disc depicting the descending dove, symbolic of the descent of the Holy Spirit.

Pinkerton Window

The window opposite the Hastings window was dedicated in 1960 in memory of Dr. William H. Pinkerton, who served twice as interim pastor. The theme of this window is “The Risen Christ.” It is a tapestry of brilliant color and light. The central figure is the Christ, with the ends of his red mantle curling in the wind as if the figure is ascending into heaven. The arms of the Christ are outstretched in a gesture of compassion. Below is a presentation of the Supper at Emmaus.

Robertson Window

Our Robertson window combines the history of our church with Jesus’ parable of the sower. In 1927, a development person, Colin J. Robertson, helped raised money for this building. His face is the face on the sower.

Flowers

In his honor the official flowers of the six states to which he was assigned appear.

Atrium

We leave the sanctuary and go into the Beasley Building. This building is named for Mr. and Mrs. Theodore P. Beasley of Dallas and was dedicated in 1986. The five-story building contains the Atrium reception area, staff offices, and conference rooms. It is also a gathering place for coffee hour and small groups.

Hilda's

Citizens from developing countries have their crafts sold at Hilda’s International Gift Shop, recently named for one of our beloved matriarchs, Hilda Koontz, pastor’s assistant, historian and founder of the shop.

Schreiber Hall

The heart and soul of National City's life is most beautifully and vividly expressed in music. That gift is largely due to Lon Schreiber, who was our minister of music for forty years. We now enter Schreiber Hall, our music suite. It serves as a rehearsal hall, recital hall and recording studio, and contains offices for the organist and minister of music.

Gospel Choir

Valeria Foster, gospel choir director, leads a workshop for a visiting choir.

Sanctuary Choir

The Sanctuary Choir rehearsing for a Sunday morning service.

Columbarium

Down the hall from our music suite is our Columbarium, one of the most quiet and sacred spaces at National City.

NIche

There are 865 niches which will hold from two to six urns each, providing space for the remains of about 4,000 individuals.

Phillips Chapel

An out-of-the-way quiet place is Phillips Chapel. However it is not always quiet. It breaks forth in celebremos on Sunday mornings, for this is where our national Hispanic fellowship meets for worship in Spanish.

Phillips Chapel Window

Often this service overflows with children. How appropriate that the window which is the focal point of this worship space is Jesus blessing the children.

Campbell Study

Well, here we are at the end of our tour. In a way we are ending at the beginning. This chapel takes us back to our beginnings as Disciples. It is a replica of the study in Bethany, West Virginia, used by our Disciples founder, Alexander Campbell.

Courtyard

Let me walk you to our entry way for our beautiful Sheila Brown Cooper Courtyard. Come back to see us. Invite friends to meet us and take a virtual tour. Better yet, meet us in person at this 14th Street entrance to the courtyard whenever you are in Washington.