Washington, D.C., District of Columbia story
A Galactic Grotesque
If you look closely at the Northwest Tower of the Washington National Cathedral, you'll find a figure that doesn't quite fit the traditional religious imagery. It's Darth Vader. T…
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If you look closely at the Northwest Tower of the Washington National Cathedral, you'll find a figure that doesn't quite fit the traditional religious imagery. It's Darth Vader. This unusual pop-culture carving was installed in 1986, but the idea came from a 13-year-old boy from Nebraska named Chris Rader.
He submitted the design for a children's competition in 1984, and the concept won third prize. Sculptor Jay Hall Carpenter brought the drawing to life using Star Wars reference images. Interestingly, the cathedral describes the figure as a grotesque rather than a gargoyle, because it lacks a drainage conduit for water.
It's a playful reminder that even in a place of solemn tradition, there's room for a little bit of the Force.
Updated June 2026