Cathedral Church of St John the Divine

I am still amazed when I find architectural marvels like this in the city.
I had to rub my eyes to make sure I am still in NYC and not in Paris… (yes, I had an audacity to compare it to Notre Dame, tho my friend disagree with me)
It’s an amazing Neo-​gothic cathedral that is still work in progress, with usuall lines you find in Gothic architecture: thin, streamlined, bone-​like structure of living beauty…
First cornerstone was laid in 1892, which means this all started over 120 years ago, and still not finished — that fact on it’s own is mind-​blowing.
Detailing, architecture in whole, and stained glass work are absolutely incredible.
If you in NYC — as a visitor, or live here — you MUST see it. Experience it. Feel is in your mind and soul.
It is majestic and super powerful.

It is really amazing ! I love it ! I really recommend !

Very beautiful inside and out. The stain glass windows were beautiful. There was also a fountain outside of the building that looked wonderful

First time visiting Cathedral in the city. It was just breathtaking beauty of every part of the church. I can not believe people made all detailed statues, curving on the walls, and beautiful stained glass.
Come visit early, I was only one except workers in the church when I visited there around 9am in Monday.

This cathedral is treasure. While I don’t like the fact that it is a mishmash of styles (it’s not fully Gothic by a long shot) I do appreciate how long they have been working away on it. J.P. Morgan himself had to bail-​out the building fund in its earliest stages. It’s tiny compared to St. Peter’s Basilica but considerably larger than St. Patrick’s Cathedral down the street. It doesn’t have the integral beauty or fame of St. Pat’s either but it still is a NYC treasure. If the Episcopal Church fails in the USA I sincerely hope this edifice is preserved by the Catholic Church.

Stunningly beautiful! Glad we visited! It is not as crowded as St. Patrick’s and is easily overlooked by tourists. It is so breathtaking!

I was here last month for an event, but have visited this church before so now it’s worthy of a review. It’s a great and visually stunning cathedral, with the buttresses and stained glass. They recently had a glass dragon hanging from the ceiling inside, which is definitely worth seeing. The echo can be heard throughout the cathedral, no matter where you are. I like the memorial and author memorial outside in the grounds of the cathedral. One thing I didn’t like was the fact that you have to pay $ 10 just to do a 10 minute walk around of a cathedral, which is a rip off, considering you have many other options to spend that money on, let alone a church. But the inside is stunning.

My review means nothing in light of the awesome grandeur of this building. This is one of the few places in the US where you can feel as if you are in a truly magnificent, spiritual place similar to the centuries old cathedrals in Europe. Best is the American twist: many elements dedicated to the arts, professions, and history of the US; our own cathedral! I have always been moved by the AIDS/​HIV monument and the recognition of the great American writers. Surrounding the church is a plethora of interesting art and sculpture. It’s nice to have a religious institution that recognizes great art and great events, regardless of denomination or personal background. This should be closer to the top of the visit list but the location is a bit off the regular path

This is off the beaten track and unique.
When traveling in Europe we are always amazed by the cathedrals and the painstaking details that are small parts of such enormous structures. Come see a cathedral still under construction and is also absolutely massive.
Visitors flock to St. Patricks because it is impressive and conveniently located on Fifth Avenue. St. Johns dwarfs its catholic cousin.

Here on a weekday, Tuesday. $ 10. Donation is just that, a donation. Don’t have to pay. May be different on weekends ir holidays? Always love looking at all the ornate carvings and statues in churches. Lots of construction going on.

I really, really wish this was free ($ 10) like any other church in NY, but they do have exhibits so you are not paying just to see a church. I’ve seen many churches (Notre Dame, Duomo, and Westminster) and St. John the Divine certainly ranks up there, maybe the best. It’s so huge and elaborate. The first time I came it was free and we saw a few interesting exhibits. When we went back again, there was another exhibit called the phoenix; made from debris in Beijing. Being a cheap patron, I would not satisfy the church and give money because I am expected. I would say let the phoenix fly out of the church so I can appreciate the architecture for free.
They even have funny signs outside for dogs.

The church is magnificent and a definite place to visit up in Harlem. It is the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world and the outside splendor is only magnified by what you see when going inside.
You are welcomed by great columns when first inside and the vast large room and hallway opens up to you the more you progress. Around the large center, there are various smaller rooms, each with their own style, that you can go inside, take pictures, and enjoy the calmness that settles in.
There was currently a display by a Chinese artist showing a phoenix made of construction material with a great backstory as to how the supplies were collected and the story behind the artist himself
Definitely a great place to visit, one of the best «tourist» attractions in the area, and overall a top go-​to location in Manhattan as well.

After taking a tour around the UWS and Morningside Heights, I stumbled upon this church and decided to check it out.
The entry fee is a bit misleading. $ 10 is the suggested donation but it is pay-​what-​you-​want.
I’ve seen a bunch of churches all over the world and I liked how the architecture and the symbols incorporated many different styles. Appropriate for a new colony in America.
Worth a look. The church feels small but incredibly large at the same time. Plus, the rose window is the biggest in the country.

The Cathedral itself is nice. However its pricing policy that was recently enforced in not.
This used to be free to enter for visitors and no special entry was required in the past. Only a suggested donation desk was present on the side on the entrance only to those who wanted to contribute. However this has recently changed. The main entrance to the cathedral is no longer open, instead you enter from a smaller entrance and you directed, through ropes preventing you from heading to the main area, to a kiosk where a donation is *required* to enter from now on (with suggested donation being 10 $). We only wanted to look a round the church for 5′ minutes so paying an admission wouldn’t really with it. For 10 $ you can see a lot of much better attractions in NYC (like making a generous suggestion to Metropolitan museum), or you can even use the «pay less option» for Natural history museum), so Saint John is no longer a nice free attraction to visit. Pass.

HALLELUJAH!!! This is my new favorite place of worship! I really felt like this cathedral and the people working there really care about the community! I did not expect that at all but it makes me want to go back!
I came here to celebrate halloween and it was perfect! I took a tour and then went to the Precession of Ghouls and both events were so well done! The staff and the events are so well done other tourist attractions should take note and work to match the great customer experience had here.
Spend your next halloween here! You will not regret it!

St. John the Devine, die mächtige Kathedrale in der Nachbarschaft der Columbia University in New Yorks Upper West Side lohnt in jedem Fall einen Besuch, um ihrer selbst willen und um des Anreisewegs willen. Viele klassische Fotomotive säumen den Weg.
Die 1941 eingeweihte Kirche mit wechselvoller Geschichte ist die größte anglikanische Kirche der Welt und nach dem Petersdom, Notre Dame de la Paix und der Kathedrale von Sevilla die viertgrößte christliche Kirche überhaupt. Das ist schon ‘né Hausnummer und wahrlich ist das Gotteshaus einfach nur imposant.
Die Fakten zu St. John sind andernorts einsehbar, aber wir haben den ultimativen Reisetipp für alle, die zu Beginn eines Oktobers im Big Apple weilen.
Jeweils am ersten Sonntag im Oktober begeht St. John die Messer «Blessing oft he Animals», also «Segnung der Tiere», eine «Show» der Extraklasse.
Wir hatten von diesem besonderen Gottesdienst durch Zufall Wind bekommen und ihn umgehend auf unsere Agenda gesetzt. Guter Entschluss!
Von unserem Hotel am Washington Square nahmen wir die Metro und fuhren New Yorks Westside gen Norden hoch, den letzten Teil nicht mehr unterirdisch. Allein das lohnt schon, ist doch ein überirdischer Bahnhofszugang ein Motiv schönster New York Filme. Es ist Oktober, es ist früh morgens, die Luft ist frisch kühl und der Himmel azur. Vor diesem Hintergrund wirkt St. John einmal mehr überdimensional.
Vor der Kirche stehen jede Menge Reisebusse und die Menschen stehen in einer überschaubaren Schlange. Wir reihen uns ein. Als wir an das Sperrgitter kommen, drückt uns eine Frau zwei graue Tickets in die Hand. Gleich darauf lernen wir, dass die Farbe einen fest gekennzeichneten Sitzplatzbereich markiert, wo wir nun Platz zu nehmen haben.
Kaum kommen wir dazu, den Blick durch das imposante Kirchenschiff wandern zu lassen, denn eine für eine Kirche komplett ungewöhnliche Geräuschkulisse erfüllt die Halle. Fast jeder Kirchenbesucher hat seinen Vierbeiner mitgebracht, auf’s Feinste herausgeputzt. Jeder Hund hat ein buntes Tuch um den Hals, jede Katze trägt eine schicke Schleife. Es wird gebellt, miaut und es wird fleissig gezwitschert. Irgendwo müssen noch die Vogelkäfige stehen.
Genau: Segnung der Tiere eben. Wahnsinn!
Langsam beginnt der offizielle Teil des Programms. Ein Sprecher begrüßt das Publikum und die Tiere. Ein stimmgewaltiger Gospelchor donnert mit seinen stimmgewaltigen Songs los und im Schnelldurchgang wird der Gemeinde noch mal eben schnell eine Mini-​Choreographie beigebracht, um mit wenigen Arm– und Handbewegungen die Lieder zu begleiten. Damit hat man eigentlich auch schon den Programmpunkt «Besuch eines Gottesdienstes mit Gospelchor» erschlagen!
Nun ziehen die Hochgeistlichen ein mit viel Kerzen, viel Insignien, prächtiger Robe, während professionelle Tänzer in fantasievollen Kostümen durch die Gänge tanzen und ganz sicher irgendetwas Tolles darstellen.
Feierlich ist das Ganze nicht wirklich, denn zu laut die Tiere, die wahrscheinlich eher weniger gewohnt sind, einer Orgel zu lauschen oder gewaltigem Chorgesang.
In jedem Falle ist es für uns ein ganz besonderes Erlebnis und Hut ab vor der «Performance» eines solchen Gottesdienstes. Da muss bei uns der gemeine Priester noch jede Menge Nachhilfe nehmen, um seine Schäfchen ähnlich zu fesseln.
Was wir nicht mehr besucht haben, ist der Rasen hinter dem Haus, denn im Anschluss an den kirchlichen allgemeinen Segen hat jeder Besucher die Möglichkeit, einen persönlichen Segen für seinen Vierbeiner oder gefiederten Freund abzuholen. Kuh und Katz und Kanarienvogel bilden dann eine geduldig wartende höchst bunte Reihe.
Amerika, Land der unbegrenzten Möglichkeiten!

Did you know the world’s 4^th largest church building is actually in the middle of Manhattan? This is the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. Because the three larger church buildings are in Vatican City, Brazil, and Spain, Cathedral Church is also the largest church building in the United States!
Even as you walk toward the church, you will be wowed by the size and the magnitude of the structure. I mean what else would you expect from a church that is comparable to Vatican City’s St. Peter Basilica? When you step inside though, take a moment and remember to breathe as you take in the impressive interior.
Inside you will find detailed masterpieces throughout the church. Whether you are admiring the big picture or the tiny details, you will agree that the Cathedral Church is a magnificent church to behold. Aside from the Gothic Christian arts, the Church also holds the large modern artwork within named the Phoenix. The Phoenix was made by a Chinese artist and was originally made to be displayed in the World Trade Center but didn’t make it because of multiple delays. Now as a display within the Cathedral Church, the Phoenix adds a nice touch that complements well with the Church’s large open space.
Unfortunately, the Cathedral Church suffered a recent fire, though the damage is more apparent in front. Fortunately, the fire did not inflict significant damage in the interior so we can still have a chance to admire the majestic building.
Don’t miss out America’s largest church building! To reach there, take the M4 bus toward the Cloisters.

I don’t know anything about this church except it’s got a wackadoo statue in its backyard, of a centaur wrestling a lizard and/​or a giraffe on top of what looks to me to be a smiling moon made, perhaps, of cheese. (Or, y’know, maybe it’s a reasonably straightforward depiction of the Archangel Michael after his defeat of Satan, but, y’know what, I was walking by in a hurry and I saw what I saw, and what I saw was an epic centaur-​lizard battle on the moon, okay?)
The point is, I am not remotely in a position to be reviewing this church at all, but I will say this: it’s massive. Let me reiterate that with typography: IT IS MASSIVE! It’s like them big cathedrals they got in Europe, and if you’re a fan of those I think you’ll be a fan of this. I’ll be heading up again someday to give it a more thorough, touristy visit.

When you walk into this place, you definitely don’t feel like you’re in NY anymore.
As someone who was born into the Catholic Faith, cathedrals like this one scared the crap out of me. And it’s not even a Catholic one. Doesn’t matter. I’m convinced half of what I learned in Catholic school was to always be afraid. The other half was to always feel guilty. Fuck that noise.
I don’t consider myself Catholic anymore. But, I’m a man of deep spirituality. I don’t see how you could not walk away from here feeling something. For many, it might be the splendor of the architecture and design. For some, it might be spiritual reasons. Whatever it is, something emotional always stirs the soul when I visit.
There are so many places we, as NY’ers, don’t visit enough or ever. Part of why we pay high rent is for the privilege of having places like this as an option in our lives. Such a shame i live in the center of the universe and don’t take advantage of it more.

Pros:
* I can’t believe I’ve lived in NYC for 5 years and never been to this church. The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine is a beautiful, grand and enormous! Who knew that NYC houses the 4^th largest Christian church in the world!
* Suggested donation
* Very easy to get to via subway B/​C/​1 to Cathedral Parkway
Cons:
* During the summer is it sweltering hot, so I use the pamphlet as a fan
Tips:
* Take the M4 bus to head east to check out museums on 5^th Avenue or take the M4 bus north to the Cloisters
* If hungry, eat at Freda’s Caribbean & Soul Cuisine at 993 Columbus Ave b/​t 108^th St & 109^th St: best Carribbean food!

Enorme Cathédrale très en hauteur ! Surprenante.

Well haven’t been here in some 20 years, you see me and God have this funny relationship. Sort of like I pray with the saints and walk with the sinners sorta thing going on.
But you can find more then God here at this wonderful cathedral, there is a nice little art exhibit going on. I came with a friend and we enjoyed the wonderful space as well the unique art installation from Jane Alexander: Surveys (from the Cape of Good Hope)
The sculptures were of numerous different subjects, The Custodian, Defendants, Beast, Infantry and numerous others. She also had a photo montage but I enjoyed the fiberglass sculptures best.
There is no admission price only a suggested donation of $ 10.00 or whatever you can afford. So it is free if you cant afford a donation which is a great deal.
This is another great gem of what New York has to offer, I mean come on if they bring tourists by the bus loads why cant real New Yorkers enjoy this place.