National Cathedral gets $5 million gift for repairs

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Washington National Cathedral says it will get a donation of $5 million to repair damage from an earthquake that shook the nation's capital a year ago.

The donation from the Lilly Endowment was to be announced Thursday on the first anniversary of the quake, The Washington Post reported.

The occasion will be marked with the replacement of a stone ornament called a crocket. Prayers, blessings and a ringing of the cathedral bells are also scheduled.

The 5.8-magnitude temblor caused $20 million in damage .

Since last August millions of dollars have been spent to stabilize the building and to prep for upcoming work, officials said. Hundreds more repairs must still be made.

The church was closed for three months after the earthquake shook loose stone finials and gargoyles.

Construction of the cathedral took 83 years. It was completed in 1990.

The Washington Monument was also damaged by the quake. The structure has been closed since then and is not expected to reopen until 2014.