The Cathedral College of Washington National Cathedral
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About Us
Washington National Cathedral is a church for national purposes, an Episcopal cathedral welcoming to people of all faiths and none. A unique blend of the spiritual and the civic, the Cathedral is a voice for a generous-spirited Christianity and a catalyst for reconciliation and interfaith dialogue that promotes respect and understanding. We invite everyone to become partners with us and share in our commitment to create a hopeful and just world.
The educational ministry of the Cathedral College is one of the ways the Cathedral extends its voice in service to others. The rich offerings of the College include programs in spirituality, theological initiatives, preaching, global justice and reconciliation, and Christian formation. For additional information about all the College’s programs, visit www.nationalcathedral.org.
History
The College of Preachers was first
envisioned in the early years of the twentieth century by the Rt.
Rev. Henry Yates Satterlee, first Episcopal Bishop of Washington.
Satterlee dreamed of founding a school of the prophets to provide
post-ordination training for clergy.
The College’s actual founder was the Rt. Rev. James E. Freeman, third bishop of Washington. In 1924, Freeman—motivated by his own interest in preaching and stirred by an awareness of Bishop Satterlee’s earlier dream—founded the College and prevailed upon Philip M. Rhinelander, Bishop of Pennsylvania, to become its first Warden. The first session of the College was held in June 1924.
Three years later, Bishop Freeman visited his long-time friend Alexander Smith Cochran in Paris. As Freeman was about to leave on the evening of June 9, 1927, he told Cochran it had been difficult to leave Washington because the College of Preachers was holding its June session. This off-hand comment provoked interest from Cochran and resulted in his decision to provide funds to build a home for the College and to endow its program—a gift of $1,450,000. The building was dedicated on November 14, 1929, the 145th anniversary of the consecration of Samuel Seabury, the first Episcopal Bishop in America. Since 1929 the College’s location in the nation’s capital on the grounds of Washington National Cathedral, its focus on proclamation, and its tradition of faculty excellence have given it a unique role among residential continuing education centers in the United States.
Wardens and Presidents of the College of Preachers Since 1924
Philip M. Rhinelander, Warden 1924–1937
Noble Cilley Powell, Warden 1937–1941
Theodore O. Wedel, Warden 1942–1960
Frederick H. Arterton, Warden 1960–1972
Clement W. Welsh, Warden 1972–1981
William H. Marmion, Interim Warden 1981–1982
T. Herbert O’Driscoll, Warden 1982–1983
Charles J. Minifie, President 1983–1991
Erica B. Wood, Interim President 1991–1992
Erica B. Wood, President and Warden 1992–2001
James Corner Fenhagen II, President and Warden 2001–2004
Howard Anderson, President and Warden 2004–2008
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Cathedral College, 3510 Woodley Road, NW, Washington, DC 20016
Telephone: (202) 537-6380; Fax: (202) 537-2235