Michael Brooks
St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City is a Catholic cathedral in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood. It is the seat of the Archbishop of New York and a parish church. The cathedral was constructed starting in 1858 to accommodate the growing Archdiocese of New York and was completed in 1879. It is the largest Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral in North America. On the other hand, St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland, became an Anglican (Church of Ireland) church after the English Reformation in the 1530s. The building was demoted to the status of a parish church under King Edward VI. Today, it serves as the national cathedral of Ireland and hosts various public national ceremonies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Midtown Manhattan, New York City |
| Construction began | 1858 |
| Completed | 1879 |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Architect | James Renwick Jr. |
| Purpose | To accommodate New York's growing Catholic community |
| Visitors | Over 5 million per year |
| Main entrance | On Fifth Avenue |
| Spires | 329.5 feet (100 m) |
| Bells | 19 |
| Organ | 2 pipe organs |
| Burials | 8 archbishops, Venerable Pierre Toussaint |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
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What You'll Learn
St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York
St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City is a Catholic cathedral located in the Midtown Manhattan neighbourhood. It is the seat of the Archbishop of New York and serves as a parish church for the Archdiocese of New York within Manhattan. The cathedral is an active Catholic church, with regular masses, weddings, and baptisms taking place.
The construction of St. Patrick's Cathedral began in 1858 to accommodate the growing Archdiocese of New York and to replace the older St. Patrick's Old Cathedral in Lower Manhattan. Designed by James Renwick Jr., the cathedral is an example of Gothic Revival architecture, influenced by English, French, and German Gothic styles. It is the largest Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral in North America. The exterior of the cathedral is clad in marble, featuring bronze doors at the main entrance on Fifth Avenue, flanked by towers with spires rising to a height of 329.5 feet (100 m). The interior includes a nave flanked by chapels, two transepts, a chancel, an apse, and a crypt. The northern tower houses nineteen bells, and the cathedral boasts two pipe organs.
The site for the cathedral was purchased in March 1810 by Rev. Father Anthony Kohlmann, and the Jesuits built a college on the site. In 1813, the lot was sold to the Diocese of New York, and the school closed the following year. The diocese then gave the property to a community of Trappists fleeing persecution. The plans for the new cathedral were finalised in 1858, with funding coming from wealthy Catholics in the Archdiocese of New York. The first construction contracts were issued in June 1858, and the cathedral was completed in 1878, with its dedication taking place on May 25, 1879. The archbishop's house and rectory were added in the early 1880s, and the spires were completed in 1888.
St. Patrick's Cathedral is a popular tourist destination in New York City, attracting over five million visitors annually before the COVID-19 pandemic. The cathedral is known for its architectural grandeur and serenity, offering visitors a chance to admire its design and peaceful atmosphere. The Top of The Rock Observation Deck provides a contrasting modern view of the city, showcasing iconic landmarks such as the Empire State Building and Central Park. Visitors can purchase official tours of the cathedral, and masses are also livestreamed on the cathedral's YouTube channel.
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St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin
St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland, is the national cathedral of the
St. Patrick's Cathedral has a rich history and is a popular tourist attraction in Dublin. The cathedral is known for its beauty and unique artefacts, including various memorial plates, statues, and stained glass windows. The self-guided and audio tours provide insightful information about the cathedral and its numerous artefacts. The cathedral also offers Evensong services, with beautiful choir music, and daily tours.
The cathedral has a long association with the Church of Ireland, which considers certain books as part of the Old Testament, referred to as the Apocrypha by Protestant Churches. The Church of Ireland has a more liberal approach to inter-church marriages compared to the Roman Catholic Church.
St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin is not to be confused with St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, which is the largest Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral in North America. The New York cathedral was constructed starting in 1858 to accommodate the growing Archdiocese of New York.
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St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, New York
St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, sometimes shortened to Old St. Patrick's or The Old Cathedral, is a Catholic parish church and basilica in the Nolita neighbourhood of Lower Manhattan, New York City. It was the principal Catholic church in New York City from its completion in 1815 until 1879, when the new St. Patrick's Cathedral opened.
The church was designed by French architect Joseph-François Mangin in the Gothic Revival style and built between 1809 and 1815. It was the seat of the Archdiocese of New York until the new St. Patrick's Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan opened in 1879. Today, St. Patrick's Old Cathedral is a parish church, with the pastor residing in the old Bishop's House at 263 Mulberry Street. The church building was designated a New York City landmark in 1966 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Underneath the basilica are catacombs consisting of 35 family crypts and 5 clerical vaults, which have been reopened to new interments. Notable interments include the first resident Bishop of New York, John Connolly, General Thomas Eckert, and several members of the Delmonico restaurant family. The basilica has opened the catacombs to walking tours.
The Old St. Patrick's gallery holds a large pipe organ built in 1868 by Henry Erben, originally operated without electricity. Today, liturgies are celebrated in English, Italian, Spanish, and Chinese. Visitors are welcome to stroll into the basilica without tickets, although donations are accepted to light a candle.
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St. Patrick's Cathedral's crypt
St. Patrick's Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, is a Catholic cathedral in the Gothic Revival style. It is the largest of its kind in North America and was designed by James Renwick Jr. with influences from English, French, and German Gothic architecture. The construction of the cathedral began in 1858, and it was completed in 1878, with the spires added in 1888. The site was initially purchased in 1801 by the trustees of St. Peter's Church, the first Catholic church in New York, to be used as a cemetery for members of the faith.
The cathedral features a crypt, which is located underneath the east end of the cathedral. The crypt in St. Patrick's Cathedral contains the tombs of several notable individuals. The most well-known is perhaps the Eckert family crypt, which is ornately decorated and cost a large sum of $81,000 to build. General Thomas Eckert, who played an important role during the Civil War, is buried within this family crypt. Other notable people buried in the crypt include captains of industry, merchants, bankers, and lawyers.
The crypt is not the only burial place on the cathedral grounds. The Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, located in Lower Manhattan, also has underground catacombs and a cemetery that have been used as the final resting place for prominent New York Catholics for over 200 years. Bishops rest alongside noteworthy New Yorkers who have made significant contributions to the city, state, and Catholic history.
The catacombs and cemetery at the Basilica are surrounded by a treasured brick wall designated as a New York City Landmark in 1968. The cemetery is accessible through a private gate, and a meandering stone pathway leads visitors to the columbaria, which are lined with graceful trees. The columbaria contain niches that can accommodate one or two urns with cremated remains.
The crypt in St. Patrick's Cathedral, with its thick stone pillars and historical burials, adds to the rich architectural and religious heritage of the cathedral. The presence of the crypt underscores the cathedral's role as a sacred space for remembrance and commemoration within the Catholic community of New York.
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St. Patrick's Cathedral's architecture
St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City is an example of Gothic Revival architecture. Designed by James Renwick Jr., the building combines influences from English, French, and German Gothic architecture. It is the largest Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral in North America and the first major structure of its kind in the United States.
The cathedral's construction began in 1858, but it was halted during the American Civil War. It finally resumed in 1865, and the cathedral was completed in 1878. The site chosen for the cathedral is bounded by Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue, 50th Street, and 51st Street in Midtown Manhattan. The site was purchased by Rev. Father Anthony Kohlmann in March 1810, and the Jesuits built a college on it. However, in 1813, the lot was sold to the Diocese of New York, and the school closed the following year.
The cathedral is clad in marble from Massachusetts and New York and features several dozen stained glass windows. The bronze doors that form the main entrance on Fifth Avenue are flanked by towers with spires that rise to a height of 329.5 feet (100 m). The northern tower contains nineteen bells, and the interior boasts two pipe organs. The interior layout includes a nave flanked by chapels, two transepts, a chancel and apse, and a crypt. The cathedral also features a Lady Chapel, designed by Charles T. Mathews, and an archbishop's residence.
The cathedral's interior design includes notable artistic contributions. One of the highlights is Charles Connick's great rose window, a masterpiece in stained glass design. Additionally, Tiffany & Co. designed the St. Michael and St. Louis altar, and Pablo Medici of Rome crafted the St. Elizabeth altar. The cathedral also houses a pieta (marble sculpture) that is three times the size of Michelangelo's famous sculpture in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City is a Catholic cathedral. It is the seat of the Archdiocese of New York and a parish church.
Construction of St. Patrick's Cathedral began in 1858 and was completed in 1879.
St. Patrick's Cathedral is located in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. It occupies a city block bounded by Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue, 50th Street, and 51st Street.
St. Patrick's Cathedral is designed in the Gothic Revival style, with influences from English, French, and German Gothic architecture.
No, there are two different St. Patrick's Cathedrals. The one in Dublin became an Anglican (Church of Ireland) church after the English Reformation in the 1530s.
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