St. Patrick's Cathedral

The construction of this famed church began in 1858, though it had to be halted in the 1860s due to the Civil War. It was completed in 1878, a 332-feet long marble structure with stained glass windows and impressive dual spires in the Gothic Revival style. It faces Fifth Avenue, and is bounded by the 50th and 51st Streets. At the time that it was built, this was a relatively rural area, then-Archbishop John Joseph Hughes, who spearheaded the project, predicted correctly that the church’s location would one day become a bustling business center.

Famously, St. Patrick’s Cathedral was paid for by both thousands of poor immigrants and 103 wealthy donors, a democratic beginning which carries on today in the church’s spirit. Eventually, the church would come to represent its city’s architectural heritage, due to its combination of European influences and its role as the first Gothic Revival Cathedral in the United States. 

Its bronze front doors weigh nine tons, and they portray famous figures of New York Catholicism, including St. Isaac Jogues, New York’s first priest, and St. Frances X Cabrini, Mother of the Immigrant, as well as St. Joseph, patron of the church. The interior of the church seats more than 2,400 people, and it is a marvel. 

One important feature of the church is the Lady chapel, designed in the Gothic style, which is located in the eastward wing of the church. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the chapel contains fifteen stained-glass windows showing the mysteries of the rosary and a statue of the Lady; it is a popular place to get married.  

Under the church is a crypt in which figures important to the Archdiocese of New York are buried. These include all of the past Archbishops of New York, of which there are nine — including the aforementioned Hughes, as well as other important Catholics. Pierre Toussaint, a Haitian-American philanthropist who was born enslaved in 1766, is the only layman to be buried in the crypt of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  

It is free to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which is open to all members of the public regardless of religious identity. Everyone can attend Mass at the church, though communion is reserved for Catholics. If you are planning on attending Mass, make sure to dress respectfully and silence your phone. The Mass schedule can be found here.  

Outside of Mass, you can visit anytime the doors are open, which is between 8:30am and 6:30pm Monday through Friday and from 8:30am to 5:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. If you are looking for a more informational experience of this historical space, you can purchase an official tour here.  

Famed for its architecture, democratic spirit, and grand presence, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is one of New York City’s most important landmarks.