Where to find rock from Apollo 11 moon mission at DC’s National Cathedral

By Kristi King
July 10, 2019 | 6:22 PM

National Cathedral archivist Elody Crimi explains the size of the moon rock itself.

Jack Davis (left), 13, of Michigan, and sister Allie, 11, and parents Karen and Rick Davis all took in the Space Window at the National Cathedral. — "President (Richard) Nixon was so delighted to grant a rock to the cathedral, also so it could serve as a shrine to the courage of man in the exploration of space," Crimi said.

Here's what the Space Window looks like from the outside. — There's a fun fact related to the window you might not hear elsewhere: All the cathedral's windows used to be plain panes of glass that were changed out with stained glass creations as themes and designs were selected.

A view of the Space Window from inside the cathedral. — What's commonly known now as the "Space Window" is the 13th design that was up for consideration as artists and church leaders went back and forth deciding what image would best depict the themes of science, technology and space. By the 12th round of negotiations, the artist had had enough.

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth" is sewn into the front of this cushion, inspired by the Space Window. — "They wanted rocket ships, and this and that, and there was too much stuff in the window," said Kevin Eckstrom, cathedral director of communications. "So, finally (artist Rodney Winfield) said, 'I'm going to do an artistic representation.' He showed it to them, and they said, 'Yup. That's exactly what we want.'"

This cushion depicting the Space Window shows exactly where the moon rock is positioned in the center of the red orb image of the moon. — The window was installed in 1974 while the cathedral was still under construction. When the building's nave was completed and the national treasure could be appropriately secured, the moon rock was added to the stained glass window in 1976.

The round carved stones on the ceiling are called bosses that help to hold the vaulted ceiling together. This one to the left of the Space Window commemorates the first moon walk on July 20, 1969. — <em><strong> <a href="https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/MOON-ROCK-FLYER.pdf">Download a flyer about the window and the 50th anniversary here.</a></strong></em>

7 OF 7

As the nation gears up to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing this month, space enthusiasts and casual visitors can see an artifact from the Apollo 11 mission somewhere unexpected in Northwest D.C.

A rock plucked from the moon’s Sea of Tranquility is embedded in the Washington National Cathedral’s Space Window. Head down the church’s main aisle, and it’s about halfway down on the right.

“We’ve had the rock since 1974,” said National Cathedral archivist Elody Crimi. “The rock itself is about 2 3/8 inches wide and weighs 7.18 grams.”

The cathedral’s display of the moon rock serves to incorporate stories of faith and American ideals and aspirations.

Car Review: You can plug-in for better mpg with BMW’s new version of the X3

By Mike Parris
August 31, 2020 | 4:16 AM

Compact luxury crossovers are big business as buyer's trade in luxury sedans for the popular high riders. BMW redesigned its X3 a couple years ago to better compete in a more crowded marketplace. I drove the sporty X3 M40i in 2019 and was impressed with its potent performance. New for 2020 is a plug-in hybrid version that allows for 18-20 miles of electric-only driving. But when you combine the gas engine and that electric motor, the xDrive30e is transformed into a fun performance ride.

Related News

WATCH: Republican National Convention Thursday speakers

WATCH: Republican National Convention Wednesday speakers

PHOTOS: DC, US sites light up in purple and gold to celebrate 19th Amendment centennial