St. Patrick's Cathedral is the seat of the
Archbishop of New York, Edward M. Egan. It is the largest
decorated gothic-style Catholic Cathedral in the United States and
has been recognized throughout its history as a center of Catholic
life in this country.
The Cathedral was begun in 1858 by Archbishop John Hughes to
replace the original St. Patrick's Cathedral, which is used today
as a parish church in New York. The cornerstone was laid in August
of that year, and, after a suspension of work during the years of
Civil War, John Cardinal McCloskey, the first American Cardinal,
resumed work in 1865, opening the doors in May, 1879. Archbishop
Michael Corrigan added the towers on the West Front in 1888 and
began work on the east addition, including the Lady Chapel in
1901. His successor, Cardinal Farley, completed work on the Lady
Chapel addition. Cardinal Hayes completed an extensive renovation
of the interior between 1927 and 1931 when the great organ was
installed and the sanctuary was enlarged. The exterior was
restored during the episcopate of Cardinal Spellman who saw to the
completion of the stained glass windows as well as a new main
altar and baldachin. Both interior and exterior were completely
restored to their original beauty during the years when Cardinal
Cooke was Archbishop. New shrines in honor of the American saints
were brought to the Cathedral during the same years. During the
years of John Cardinal O'Connor's episcopate, extensive
renovations have been made to maintain the structural integrity of
the building, including replacement of much of the roof, exterior
steps, replastering of the walls in the transepts, repair of
stained glass and refinishing the transept doors. A liturgical
altar has been placed in the sanctuary and the baptistry has been
relocated. A new amplification system and modern lighting were
installed in 1988 and 1989, and a bas-relief sculpture dedicated
to Saint Frances Cabrini was mounted on the Cathedral wall shortly
before Christmas in 1989.
Weekend mass times for St. Patrick's Cathedral Sat: 8am, 8:30am, 12noon,
12:30pm, and 5:30pm. Sun: 7am, 8am, 9am, 10:15am,
12noon, 1pm, 4pm, and 5:30pm.
To verify mass times call. 212-753-2261
Some Facts about the
Cathedral:
The Windows were made by renowned artists in Chartres,
France; Birmingham, England and Boston Massachusetts. The
great rose window is acknowledged to be the finest work
designed by Charles Connick, the 20th century genius in
stained glass window design..
The Cathedral seats about 2,200 people.
The exterior length is about 405 feet; the width is 274
feet.
The spires rise 330 feet from street level.
The architect was James Renwick, an American. The Lady
Chapel was designed by another American, Charles Mathews.
The St. Michael and St. Louis altar was designed by Tiffany
and Company. The St. Elizabeth altar was designed by Paolo
Medici of Rome.
The Archbishops of New York are buried in a crypt under the
high altar. Their honorary hats, called galeros, hang from the
ceiling over their tombs.
The Stations of the Cross are works of art which won first
prize at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893.
The Pieta is three times larger than the Pieta in St.
Peter's, Rome.
The Cathedral has three organs.
The baldachin over the main altar is solid bronze.
Each year over 3 million people visit St. Patrick's
Cathedral.
nyc, new
york city, New York City, hotels, restaurants, museums, theatre,
central park, statue of liberty, madison square garden, empire state
building, ellis island, times square
St. Patrick's Cathedral is the seat of the
Archbishop of New York, Edward M. Egan. It is the largest
decorated gothic-style Catholic Cathedral in the United States and
has been recognized throughout its history as a center of Catholic
life in this country.
