File:Altar 01 - Bethlehem Chapel - National Cathedral - DC.JPG

English: Central panel of the reredo behind the altar in the Bethlehem Chapel on the crypt level of the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The panel depicts the nativity of Jesus Christ.

The cornerstone of the entire cathedral, laid on September 29, 1907, by Bishop Henry Yates Satterlee, consisted of a large slab of American granite with a smaller stone from Bethlehem imbedded in its surface. Inscribed on it was the Bible passage: "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." That cornerstone forms the substructure of the altar in the Bethlehem Chapel. In turn, the Norman-style chapel supports the entire altar and sanctuary above it. The chapel opened for services in 1912, but was not dedicated until November 8, 1919.

A stone reredo (screen) stands behind the altar. It is made entirely of Indiana limestone, and was carved by John Evans. The theme of the chapel is the birth of Jesus, and the central panel (carved from a single block of stone) depicts this nativity. It is bordered by carved lilies of the field, and over the scene are the words "Holy, Holy, Holy." To the right and left are four statues, depicting the four writers of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). The carvings around these statues are of leaves and blooms of the Glastonbury Thorn (a tree native to Great Britain which, legend says, was brought there by Joseph of Arimathea).

Across the top of the reredo, above the panel, and below the panel are carved the names of Jesus as announced by the angels: "Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Across the bottom of the reredo (usually out of sight, because it's below knee-level) are three symbols of Jesus.