Sites

Front Entrance

General

The Roman Catholic Church originally intended to have a cemetery but in 1850 Arch Bishop John Hughes, the first Archbishop of New York, decided to build this cathedral instead. Many people felt that it was foolish to build the structure so far from the then city centre, but Hughes persisted. Architect James Renwick crystallised the dream of a great Gothic cathedral.

Three years after the foundations were laid, the Civil War started. Weeds grew wild over what should have been a magnificent structure honouring the devotion of man. It wasn't until fourteen years after the end of the Civil War that the Cathedral was completed and opened in 1878. The spires were not lifted into place until about ten years after that and the Lady Chapel was added at the the turn of the century.

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Points of Interest

• Baldachin - The great baldachin rises over the high alter and is made entirely of bronze. Statues of the saints and prophets adorn the four piers supporting the canopy.
• Great Bronze doors - located at the entrance on 5th Avenue. They weigh over 9 tons each and are adorned with statues which depict the saints of New York.
• Lady Chapel - located at the rear of the Cathedral ( on the Madison Ave side ). The chapel honours the Blessed Virgin Mary. The stained glass windows that surround it portray the mysteries of the rosary.
• The Rose Window and Great Organ - located just above the Great Bronze doors on 5th Avenue. The Windows measures 8 metres in diameter and shines above the organ which has more than 7,000 pipes.

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Statistics

Height of spires from the street : 101 metres ( 330 feet )
Pipes in the Great Organ : 7,855
Seating capacity : 2,500
Bells : 19
Diameter of Rose window : 8 metres ( 26 feet )
Cathedral exterior : approx 124 long x 24 metres wide ( 405 x 174 feet )
Date corner stone laid : August 15, 1858
Date opened : May 25, 1879
Weight of bronze doors : 9,000 kg ( 20,000 lb )

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Summary

There are many interesting and awe inspiring things to see in the largest Catholic cathedral in the United States. The structure takes a complete city block in the midtown and is seen by many as an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding streets. It is possible to tour nearly the whole interior of the structure and take picture (provided a service is not taking place ). St Patrick's is well worth a visit and is conviently located so close to many other sites that there is no excuse.

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