A Sacred Piece of Home: Washington, D.C.

Beyond the Beltway, we visit New Hampshire Avenue – “Highway to Heaven” – its Buddhist and Hindu temples, Vietnamese and Ukrainian churches and a mosque. A Korean Presbyterian Pastor speaks about his church in the VA suburbs. We learn about Jainism, and about Zoroastrianism – an ancient Persian religion. The monumental Mormon temple and the community’s history of migration and outreach.

Changes in style, size and locations of a synagogue. Death of Turkish Ambassador inspires building of a pan-Islamic Center for formal functions and funerals. Greek-Americans speak about history of their Orthodox church. Russian immigrants and refugees found a church. Changes in immigration laws allow non-Europeans into the US who build distinctive places of worship. A South Indian Hindu Temple.

Massive structures begun in the early 20th century: a Gothic cathedral and a Byzantine Basilica with “National” titles. Sikh temple close to the Cathedral. A cluster of Catholic edifices in Northeast DC. Prestigious White Protestant churches along 16th Street leading from the White House, later evolving to serve Blacks, Latinos and Jews. Synagogue styles change drastically after WWII.

Maryland chartered as a Colony for English Catholics in 1632 and its Edict of Tolerance. Hamburg – an early German settlement. Independence and founding of Federal City along with a church for Irish laborers. Jews arrive, build first synagogues in the 1800s. History and growth of AME churches. Neo-classical architecture as preferred style for nation’s capital: the New Jerusalem and New Rome.