We arrived in NYC in the afternoon and decided to visit the St. Patrick's Cathedral close to our hotel. After we checked into the hotel and spent some time trying to figure out directions, we started our first sightseeing. We have never been to this church in our past visits to the city. It was a busy Sunday afternoon, and we were surprised to find the 135-year-old church under substantial three-year, $175 million dollar renovation. The exterior spires were covered by unsightly scaffold.
The construction of a new St. Patrick's Cathedral between Madison Ave. and Fifth Ave., and 50th and 51st Streets started in 1958 and completed in 1878. The delay was due to the Civil War. The Neo-Gothic-style Roman Catholic cathedral church was designed by architect James Renwick. More structures were added in later years such as the spires were added in 1888, and the construction of Lady Chapel begun in 1900 with its famous stained-glass created between 1912 and 1930.
We went in the church through two huge bronze doors while they were having a Sunday Mass. The cathedral can hold more than 2,000 people. The beautiful Lady Chapel is behind the Crypt. However, no photography is allowed. There are many altars along the sides of the walls. The Gallery Organ has 5,918 pipes, and the Chancel Organ has 3,920 pipes. Currently, the Gallery Organ was temporarily relocated since June 2012 due to the renovation, so we have to wait until the renovation is completed in late 2014 or 2015 to enjoy the Kilgen Organ Recital Series.
The construction of a new St. Patrick's Cathedral between Madison Ave. and Fifth Ave., and 50th and 51st Streets started in 1958 and completed in 1878. The delay was due to the Civil War. The Neo-Gothic-style Roman Catholic cathedral church was designed by architect James Renwick. More structures were added in later years such as the spires were added in 1888, and the construction of Lady Chapel begun in 1900 with its famous stained-glass created between 1912 and 1930.
We went in the church through two huge bronze doors while they were having a Sunday Mass. The cathedral can hold more than 2,000 people. The beautiful Lady Chapel is behind the Crypt. However, no photography is allowed. There are many altars along the sides of the walls. The Gallery Organ has 5,918 pipes, and the Chancel Organ has 3,920 pipes. Currently, the Gallery Organ was temporarily relocated since June 2012 due to the renovation, so we have to wait until the renovation is completed in late 2014 or 2015 to enjoy the Kilgen Organ Recital Series.
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James Huang - All rights reserved.
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