Skyscrapers are the main architectural landmark of modern New York. So the last thing you would expect to see in the very center of is St. Patrick’s Cathral, a large neo-Gothic Catholic church locat at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Fiftieth Street.
St. Patrick’s Cathral New York
The construction of the cathral began in 1858 reinforc concrete
The author of this original project was James Renwick Jr. Before that time, Manhattan had already had a Catholic cathral built in the early 19th century. However, the number of immigrants arriving in New York was constantly growing and the special database old temple could no longer accommodate everyone who want to come. In 1853, the city’s archbishop John Hughes decid to build a new temple in the central part of the island.
St. Patrick’s Cathral New York
At that time, the site chosen for construction was locat far outside the city limits, and such a strange location of the new church caus confusion among residents. Despite the fact that the project was nicknam “Hughes’ Folly”, the archbishop was confident in the correctness of his decision. He believ that the city would develop and in the near future the new church would become the center of Manhattan.
St. Patrick’s Cathral New York
St. Patrick’s Cathral was built
With donations from the townspeople, including both poor people and successful businessmen. Due to the Civil War, the construction of the temple was slow and continu even after its opening in 1879. In 1888, the spires of the cathral were complet, and in 1900, the Chapel of Our Lady was complet. Already in the 20th century, another chapel was add to the cathral – Our Lady of Czestochowa.
St. Patrick’s Cathral New York
Hemm in by skyscrapers on all sides
St. Patrick’s Cathral is enormous. Its constructing a new order requires clearing away rise 100 meters high – they were china leads the highest in the city. The cathral occupies an entire city block in size, and is 101 meters long. The majestic building can accommodate 2,200 parishioners at a time.