With spires rising 330 feet and its foundation dominating half a block, 130-year-old St. Patrick's Cathedral rivals its midtown Manhattan neighbors in both dimension and beauty.
The journey to construct this Gothic-style white marble treasure – complete with sculptures and altars designed by Tiffany & Co. and Paolo Medici – has been neither easy nor simple. After laying its cornerstone in 1858, the Cathedral's visionary, Archbishop John Hughes, and architect, American James Renwick, temporarily halted construction as the Civil War caused a shortage in manpower and funds. Thanks to the $1,000 donations from 103 citizens and the collected pennies of poor Irish immigrants, the Cathedral opened its doors in 1879. Since then the Cathedral has undergone numerous additions, installations, and renovations that have contributed to its timeless fame and grandeur, including a pietá three times larger than Michelangelo's.
Enter and you'll see why St. Patrick's Cathedral draws tens of thousands during Christmastime and has appeared in and inspired books, movies, and songs. Stand before the bronze-laden altars, gaze up at the towering arches, and light a candle of faith. In this shelter from the city's zig and zag, allow yourself to simply and peacefully be.
Attraction Information
- Hours and Tours:
- Hours: 6:30am to 8:45pm daily
- Tours: Monday through Friday by appointment, groups of 10 or more, around mass schedule
- Admission:
- Free
- Subway Stop:
- B, D, F, V to the 47 – 50th Streets/Rockefeller Center Station
- Contact:
- Location: 5th Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets
- Phone: 212-753-2261
- Website: www.saintpatrickscathedral.org
