National Cathedral suffers `significant damage' in quake

(RNS) The earthquake that rumbled up the East Coast from Virginia on
Tuesday (Aug. 23) "significantly damaged" the central tower of
Washington National Cathedral, shaking carved stone finials from atop
the iconic church.

The quake also left cracks in the flying buttresses that support the
cathedral, an Episcopal church that serves as a religious focal point
for the country and a "house of prayer for all people."

Cathedral spokesman Richard Weinberg said there were about 200
people, staff and tourists in the cathedral and adjoining offices when
the 5.9 magnitude quake struck at 1:51 pm, but no one was injured.