Cathedral of St. John the Divine

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is the Episcopal cathedral in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. Construction began in 1892 and the building is one of the largest Christian churches in the world; significant elements remain unfinished.

The interior features a very large nave and choir used for regular liturgies, large-scale concerts, and rotating art and cultural exhibitions. The cathedral is noted for its varied stained glass, sculptural details, and contemporary artworks installed inside the church and on the close.

A distinctive outdoor feature is the Peace Fountain, a modern figurative sculpture and fountain on the northwest lawn. The cathedral grounds provide views of the western façade and an urban green space adjacent to Morningside Park.

Originally designed by the firm Heins & LaFarge in a Romanesque-Byzantine idiom, the project was later reworked with Gothic elements by Ralph Adams Cram and others as construction progressed. Built over many decades, the cathedral has undergone multiple phases of construction, restoration, and adaptation and has served as the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of New York throughout.

The cathedral sits in Morningside Heights in upper Manhattan, adjacent to Columbia University and Morningside Park. It is accessible from central Manhattan by public transit and lies within the grid of streets north of the Upper West Side.

• Construction: Construction began in 1892 and work continued intermittently for decades; the building remains architecturally unfinished.
• Programming: Operated by the Episcopal Diocese of New York, the complex frequently hosts concerts, exhibitions, and community programs in addition to worship services.

What to See #

• Nave and choir: Serves as the main worship and assembly space for the cathedral, with the high altar and choir at the east end; hosts major liturgies, concerts, and large-scale art installations.
• Peace Fountain: A large figurative sculpture and fountain on the cathedral grounds created by sculptor Greg Wyatt and installed in 1985, located on the northwest lawn and often photographed from Amsterdam Avenue.
• Cathedral Close: The landscaped grounds immediately around the building include walkways, gardens, and cemetery plots that frame views of the western façade and provide outdoor gathering space.