My headstone of the week could hardly be called a headstone! It is a crypt, and not just any crypt, but one located in the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. I thought it fitting this inaugural week to have one from that awesome place.
The Sarcophagus belongs to Frederick Ward Denys and was created by the famous James Earle Fraser. Fraser is the artist who is credited with the famous “Trails End” and the buffalo on the Buffalo nickel. It was created out of two different types of marble, the Sarcophagus in a yellow brown sienna and the recumbent figure of F.W. Denys in cream colored Seravessa marble.
The inscription reads:
FREDERICK WARD DENYS
MDCCCLIV PRESBYTER MCMXLI
BENEFACTOR OF WASHINGTON CATHEDRAL
HIS FARSIGHTED GENEROSITY BVILT AND
ENDOWED ITS BAPTISTRY AND DEANERY
Of all the crypts in the National Cathedral, I find this one the be the most fascinating, although they are all beautiful. The detail of the folds in his vestments are incredible, and he appears to be simply sleeping. Fraser was a gifted artist.
We visited the National Cathedral last year at Cherry Blossom time. It was an wonderful experience and the perfect time to go. My final picture is one I took of the Cathedral. If you are ever in the District of Columbia area, you MUST, and I emphasize MUST, visit this incredible structure, and if you are able, attend a service, after all this Cathedral belongs to all of us!
The Denys Crypt is just one of the beautiful Crypts in the National Cathedral and the reason why it is
. . . Linda’s Headstone of the Week, Week #14
