Washington, D.C., District of Columbia story
A Galactic Grotesque
Cathedrals are typically filled with ancient symbols of faith and divine order. But if you look up at the Northwest Tower of the Washington National Cathedral, you'll find a very…
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Cathedrals are typically filled with ancient symbols of faith and divine order. But if you look up at the Northwest Tower of the Washington National Cathedral, you'll find a very different kind of idol. Perched among the traditional carvings is Darth Vader.
This pop-culture figure was the result of a children's design competition in the mid-eighties, designed by thirteen-year-old Chris Rader. There's a playful irony in placing the ultimate cinematic villain on a house of God. Even the terminology is a bit ironic; though many call him a gargoyle, he is technically a grotesque, because he lacks the one thing a true gargoyle needs: a drainage conduit to move water away from the walls.
Updated June 2026