What could be more heavenly than having afternoon tea in the Washington National Cathedral?
I make a pilgrimage to the Cathedral almost every time I visit Washington. Over the past twenty-five years, I’ve been there as part of an audience of a thousand or so professional musicians gathered for a national convention, as a congregant on Sunday morning, as a tourist with my son’s sixth grade class, and oftentimes I’ve simply sought solace on a bench amongst the fragrant boxwoods and spring poppies of the Bishop’s garden.
No matter where you look, you find sanctuary.
I make a pilgrimage to the Cathedral almost every time I visit Washington. Over the past twenty-five years, I’ve been there as part of an audience of a thousand or so professional musicians gathered for a national convention, as a congregant on Sunday morning, as a tourist with my son’s sixth grade class, and oftentimes I’ve simply sought solace on a bench amongst the fragrant boxwoods and spring poppies of the Bishop’s garden.
No matter where you look, you find sanctuary.
I have a suggestion for tea lovers who walk up the sidewalk toward the soaring entrance. In the words of Elijah, “lift thine eyes!”
Tea With The Angels
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| Enjoy a heavenly tea in the tower of The National Cathedral. |
Tea is served twice weekly in the south tower’s St. Paul’s Room and Gallery. This lofty perch gives divine inspiration to those seeking “high tea.” In this heavenly tea room, guests enjoy an English afternoon tea with traditional sandwiches, scones, and sweets served by volunteers from the All Hallows Guild, stewards of the grounds and gardens.
The only distraction from their gracious service is the spectacular view which encompasses all the embassies along Massachusetts Avenue as well as the Washington Monument and Capitol Hill.
Teas are served only on Tuesday and Wednesdays at 2:45 and are preceded by a guided tour of the cathedral at 1:30. Reservations are needed because seating is limited to about 35 very fortunate guests.
Often called “the nation’s church,” the cathedral has an international vision to encourage spiritual harmony among all people.
Sounds similar to tea’s mission, doesn’t it?
Read more at the Cathedral website.
See Bruce Richardson’s complete article “A Capitol Tea” in the November/December 2012 edition of TeaTime magazine.