The Washington National Cathedral has announced that it will begin celebrating weddings of gay and lesbian couples inside the historic church.

In a released statement from the cathedral, its leadership states the church has a “long history of advancing equality for people of all faiths and perspectives. The Cathedral is called to serve as a gathering place for the nation in times of significance, but it is also rooted in its role as the most visible faith community within the Episcopal Church.

“For more than 30 years, the Episcopal Church has prayed and studied to discern the evidence of God’s blessing in the lives of same-sex couples. It is now only fitting that the National Cathedral follow suit. "We enthusiastically affirm each person as a beloved child of God—and doing so means including the full participation of gays and lesbians in the life of this spiritual home for the nation.”

Viewed by close to half a million visitors annually, the iconic church has held presidential funerals, inaugural prayer services and other historic events. The church will host of the prayer service for the presidential inauguration this month.