Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle Church
Roman Catholic cathedral serving Washington, D.C.'s archdiocese
Near Washington's Dupont Circle, the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle serves as an active parish and concert venue; visitors attend masses, organ recitals and view its stained glass and mosaics.
Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle at a Glance#
Address: 1725 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036, United States
Website: https://www.nationalcathedral.org/
Hours: Daily 7:00am-7:00pm
Admission: Free (guided tours sometimes held; check schedule)
About Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle#
The Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle is the principal Roman Catholic cathedral for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., serving as the bishop’s seat and a venue for major diocesan liturgies.
The building hosts regular Masses, public ceremonies and occasional concerts; visitors can attend worship services and view the interior during open hours. The cathedral is an active place of worship and also functions as a gathering space for civic and religious events.
Located in Washington, D.C., the cathedral is accessible from central parts of the city and is commonly included on tours that cover the city’s religious and civic architecture.
- Seat of the archdiocese: The cathedral serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington and is open to the public for regular liturgies and some visiting hours.
How to Get to Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle#
The cathedral is two blocks northeast of Dupont Circle. From the Dupont Circle Metro (Red Line), it’s a 7-10 minute walk northeast along Connecticut Avenue and then a short turn onto Rhode Island Avenue. Several Metrobus routes also pass along nearby corridors.
Tips for Visiting Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle#
- Check the cathedral's schedule for concerts and solemn services; its pipe organ is occasionally used in classical recitals.
- Arrive via the Red Line Metro or the Dupont Circle area for a pleasant walk under the city's plane trees.
- The cathedral has security screening on the main approach - allow extra time during peak tourist days or major events.
Best Time to Visit Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle#
Best in spring for blossoms and in autumn for foliage; the cathedral is an indoor attraction so crowds and programming drive the experience.
Weather & Climate near Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle#
Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1053 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -4° - 6° | -3° | 79 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -2° - 8° | 0° | 70 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 2° - 13° | 5° | 92 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 7° - 19° | 13° | 79 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 12° - 25° | 18° | 105 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 17° - 29° | 23° | 88 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 20° - 31° | 26° | 101 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 19° - 30° | 25° | 96 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 15° - 27° | 21° | 95 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 8° - 21° | 15° | 83 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 3° - 15° | 7° | 84 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -1° - 9° | 1° | 81 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
