History & Significance
Cathedral · Est. Construction began in 1858; dedicated May 25, 1879
St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan was commissioned by Archbishop John Hughes and designed by architect James Renwick Jr. Construction began in 1858 to serve the growing Archdiocese of New York and replace the older St. Patrick's Cathedral downtown; work paused during the American Civil War and the building was completed in 1878 and dedicated on May 25, 1879. The twin spires were added in 1888. It remains the seat of the Archbishop of New York and the mother church of the Archdiocese, and is one of the most prominent landmarks of Manhattan, standing across from Rockefeller Center.
Gothic Revival (Neo-Gothic), designed by James Renwick Jr.
- •Designed by James Renwick Jr.; construction began 1858, dedicated May 25, 1879
- •Largest Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral in North America
- •Seat of the Archbishop of New York and mother church of the Archdiocese of New York
- •Commissioned by Archbishop John Hughes; twin 330-foot spires added in 1888
- •Occupies a full block on Fifth Avenue (50th-51st Streets), across from Rockefeller Center
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