National Cathedral Will Begin Charging Admission Fee

Cathedral officials say they will charge a $10 fee for adults; $6 for children, seniors and military; free on Sundays

Struggling to cover its costs, Washington National Cathedral has decided to begin charging an admission fee for tourists who visit the church beginning in 2014.

Cathedral officials say they will charge a $10 fee for adults and $6 for children, seniors and military. Admission will be free on Sundays and for those who visit to worship or pray on weekdays.

The Rev. Gary Hall, the cathedral's dean, says the church will charge for tourism but not for essential services. He says the decision to charge a fee was made reluctantly. But he said the cathedrals of Europe charge fees to help fund their upkeep.

The National Cathedral is working to raise funds to repair earthquake damages from 2011 totaling $26 million. The church still must raise $19 million for repairs.

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Copyright AP - Associated Press
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