ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL

 

5^th Avenue between East 50^th and 51^st Streets
(212) 753-2261

Few buildings in the world are as spellbinding as New York’s own St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Located at 5^th Avenue between East 50^th and 51^st Streets in Midtown Manhattan, the house of worship’s intensely Gothic architecture immediately stands out against the skyscrapers that surround it. If you have yet to experience its awe-inspiring design, wait no longer.

With a seating capacity of 2,400, St. Patrick’s is the largest Catholic cathedral in the United States. Its foundations were set in 1859 but construction, which was based on the architectural design of James Renwick, was not completed until 1878. It was dedicated a year later, and remains in use through the present day. Named for the patron saint of the Irish, it serves as the headquarters of the New York Archdiocese and houses several Sunday worship services, as well as other activities during the week.

The first thing you will notice upon entering is the sheer size of the place; it’s enormous. The ceilings reach 330 feet at their highest points, a pair of spires, and the rose window at the entrance measures twenty-six inches in diameter. The organ used during services houses over 7,000 pipes, and there are eighteen altars and shrines. As you sit in the pews, giant statues of saints gaze at you from all sides, which is both comforting and intimidating. The marble-made Lady Chapel, which is set off of the main altar, is a quiet place to reflect and pay respects.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is one of the architectural wonders of the city, if not the country. For more information, call (212) 753-2261. Sunday worship services are held at 7, 8, 9, 10:15, 12, 1, 4, and 5:30, with various additional programs held throughout the week. Guided tours are available by appointment.