Michelle Basch, wtop.com
WASHINGTON — Ten weeks after an earthquake forced it to close, Washington National Cathedral finally reopens this weekend.
Events begin Saturday at 11 a.m. with the consecration of the ninth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. Passes are required for the consecration and have been handed out in advance.
Sunday’s 11 a.m. Mass is open to the public. No passes are needed to attend. Sunday is also the day Cathedral tours resume.
The 5.8 magnitude earthquake on Aug. 23 left cracks in the gothic-style building and several pieces of stonework fell off.
Perimeter fencing that was put up after the quake has been taken down, and two damaged limestone pinnacles now sit out front so visitors can view them.
Starting Monday, visitors will be able to get a close-up look at even more broken stonework. That’s when a special exhibit opens in the rare book library, documenting the earthquake damage.
The exhibit also has photographs and a slide presentation that will be updated as restoration work progresses.
The exhibit includes a much-photographed piece of stonework that’s come to be known as the “fallen angel”. The angel cannot be repaired, and will take 40 to 50 hours to recarve.
Another item on display is a gargoyle.
“This one was knocked off, literally beheaded,” says Richard Weinberg, cathedral spokesman. “And it was hanging on by its lead pipe, so you can see the hole in the back of its head.”
Visitors should be aware of a security change at the cathedral. On days when there is no mass or special event scheduled, visitors will be sent through a single entrance at the building’s northwestern corner. There, they’ll be greeted by a new, staffed welcome desk.
The cathedral has launched an effort to raise at least $25 million to pay for the restoration.
“We don’t know at this time how long it’s going to take, nor the total cost of the restoration efforts,” says Weinberg.
For more information about this weekend’s events, click here.
Follow Michelle Basch and WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2011 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
