Cathedral of Saint John the Divine – Manhattan, New York

One of my dreams had been to visit New York before I die. Last July, I had the chance to do that and I jumped at it. My dear friends whom I had known for about 12 years had moved to New York and were living in Manhattan. I didn’t care that I had only 2 days to spend in New York, I was still going to make the trip. It was great to see my friends and their kids, who had grown up so much. We then decided to take a stroll through the neighborhood. We passed a few interesting spots and turned around a corner and I was speechless! At the end of the street was one of the many cathedrals/churches that dotted New York.

This one was the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine – originally built to rival St. Patrick’s.

This cathedral is located in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights neighborhood. The inside covers 121,000 sq ft, with a length of 601 ft, and a height of  232 ft. The nave inside the cathedral measures124 ft in height.

 The cathedral was designed in 1888 and started construction in 1892. In its history, it has undergone some radical changes to its style, and the interruption of two World Wars. It was originally designed as a Byzantine-Romanesque cathedral that later, in 1909, changed to a Gothic design.

 In its history, it has had several bishops, who have each had their now notions of what design the cathedral should assume. As a result of this, the Cathedral reflects a myriad of styles – a hodgepodge of sorts – a Gothic nave, a Romanesque crossing under the dome; chapels in French, English and Spanish Gothic styles, as well as Norman and Byzantine; Gothic choir stalls, and Roman arches and columns separating the high altar and ambulatory.

On the morning of December 18, 2001, a fire swept through the unfinished part of the cathedral, damaging valuable tapestries and nearly engulfing the cathedral itself. The organ was not harmed but had to be dismantled and cleaned thoroughly.

In January 2005, the restoration was started and completed in 2008. Look at the carvings on these  original doors!!

One of the many angels protruding from this cathedral.

At the entrance of the West Side of the cathedral.

Do you see the twin towers carved into one of these pillars? Amazing!

I <3 NYC.