WASHINGTON (WJZ) — A landmark church opens its door to same-sex marriage.

Adam May talks to the head of the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

The National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. has been called the spiritual home of America. It’s where presidents pray for guidance at inauguration and where the country mourns the loss of heroes and politicians such as Neil Armstrong and President Ronald Reagan.

Now the country’s most famous church decides they will perform same-sex marriages.

“The reaction I’m getting is overwhelmingly positive,” said National Cathedral Dean Rev. Gary Hall. “We have a role as a symbolic institution, a leadership role and this is a teachable moment. Even this big edifice that stands for continuity and tradition has discerned that it is God’s will, that God loves everybody and calls everybody into relationship with God and each other.”

The Episcopalian church recently joined the United Church of Christ, evangelical Lutherans, Unitarians and conservative and liberal Jews in support of same-sex marriage.

“We’re at a moment in American culture and history where we have thought about this and come to a decision as the church that we are solidly behind same-sex marriage,” Hall said.

The new policy takes effect immediately but that doesn’t mean anyone can be married there. You must either be a member of the church or have a strong relationship with the Cathedral.