Although President George Washington and DC city planner Pierre L’Enfant originally imagined “a great church for national purposes” in 1791, it wasn’t until 1896 that the location for Washington National Cathedral was selected. It has since been the site of many historic services attended by prominent American political figures and world leaders.

The architecture is inspired by 14th Century English Gothic style with a strikingly modern American approach: take special note of the Darth Vader Gargoyle and a stained-glass Space window celebrating American exploration.