Merry Christmas to all my reader friends! I thought I’d share a few pictures I took a couple of weeks ago at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Christmas in New York is gorgeous and visiting St. Patrick’s was a definite highlight for me. In the midst of such traffic and congestion and holiday hustle and bustle, directly across from the madness of Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral provides a place of peaceful sanctuary.
The building is beyond stunning. Incredibly, it was built entirely from donations from poor immigrants and $1,000 pledges from 103 prominent residents.The cornerstone was laid in 1858, construction was stalled for five years during the Civil War, and the doors opened in 1869.
According to cathedral history, Archbishop Hughes’ original construction proposal was ridiculed. The site was considered to be in a “near-wilderness” area too far outside the city. Archbishop Hughes persisted in his vision of building the most beautiful Gothic Cathedral in the New World in what he believed would one day be the heart of the city. Neither the bloodshed of the Civil War nor the resultant lack of manpower or funds would derail the ultimate fulfillment of Hughes’ dream.
Heart of the city, indeed. (Read more about the building’s history HERE.)
The plaster designs adorning the ceiling (difficult to see in my picture) include flowers, scrolls, grape leaves, and even an owl. No two adornments are alike. The ceiling represents the gardens of Heaven.
Lighting a candle. (You can light a virtual candle HERE.)
Massive columns, wooden pews. The cathedral seats 2,400. Mass is held nearly fifty times a week.
Away in a manger.
Sculpture Pietà by Araldo Perugi, an immigrant from Carrara, Italy. Perugi’s sculpture is three times larger than the original Pietà created by Michelangelo.
The spires tower 330 feet.
Merry Christmas!
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
[tweetthis]Merry Christmas from St. Patrick’s Cathedral! #NewYorkCity #JesusIsBorn [/tweetthis]
Musical Pairing:
Joy to the World! The Celtic Women
Thank you for sharing photos of this magnificent cathedral. It will be a must-see when I go visit Brady!
Yes for sure, Dorothy!
Beautiful photos! Thanks for the history lesson and lovely musical pairing.
Love NYC any time but especially at Christmas and, yes, St. Patrick’s is truly amazing!
When I think back, I’m not sure I’ve ever been to NYC any time other than Thanksgiving/Christmas. Strange.