St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City
In the shadows of Rockefeller Center stands the largest Catholic church in the United States as well as the Archdiocese of New York. St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Neo-Gothic marble masterpiece, holds exquisite interior and exterior detail.
Designed by John Renwick, the construction began in 1859 and the building was consecrated in 1879. In the nearly 150 year history of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the building has operated as a Trappist monastery, an orphanage, and Catholic boys school.
The most prominent architectural features are the huge 330-foot spires that flank the entrance on Fifth Avenue. The spires were not part of the original design but were added in 1888.
As you make your way through the masses of visitors, notice the details on the interior of the cathedral. The windows inside were made by artists in Chartres, France, and the rose window is one of stained-glass master, Charles Connick’s, major works. There are eight small shrines, one of which dedicated to Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. The most impressive, and quietest place for contemplative thought, is Lady Chapel, a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The St. Michael and St. Louis altar came from Fifth Avenue jeweler, Tiffany & Co.
Beneath St Patrick’s Cathedral is a basement crypt that contains the coffins of every New York cardinal and the remains of Pierre Toussaint, the Hatian immigrant who was considered for sainthood for his charity and piety.
Though the mass number of visitors and humming video-recording system don’t make it the best place for quiet contemplation, St Patrick’s Cathedral is still a must-see attraction in New York City.
Location: 50th Street at Fifth Avenue (map)
Subway: B, D, F, V to 47th-50th Streets-Rockefeller Center
Hours: Cathedral open 6:30am-8:45pm with various masses throughout the day.
Photo credits: aerial view, Wikimedia;
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4 opinions for St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City
Celebrate Easter at St Patrick’s Cathedral
Feb 24, 2008 at 9:24 am
[…] It feels like Lent just started but Easter is a mere four weeks away and it’s never too early to start planning. Now is the time to secure admission tickets for the Easter morning Mass at New York City’s famous St Patrick’s Cathedral. […]
Mary Donahey
Feb 24, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Who were the last 3 Catholic Cardinals at St. Patrick’s Cathedral before Cardinal Cooke?
Heather
Feb 29, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Well, Mary, you stumped me for awhile because history of the Catholic church is not my strongest subject.
Lets see, according to Wikipedia, the last three Cardinals before Cooke were Francis Joseph Cardinal Spellman, Patrick Joseph Cardinal Hayes, and John Murphy Cardinal Farley.
Does that sound right or am I completely off?
"The Original" Old St Patrick’s Cathedral
Mar 17, 2008 at 10:30 am
[…] cry from a busy Fifth Avenue location. The quaint old cathedral also more makes up for what St Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown lacks in charm and […]
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