St. Patrick's Cathedral (New York City)

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a Neo-Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan that serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of New York and a major civic landmark.

The interior contains a large nave and sanctuary with marble altars, stained glass and ornate carved detail; the building’s twin spires and façade dominate the Fifth Avenue block across from Rockefeller Center. The cathedral is both an active parish church holding daily services and a destination for visitors and architectural study.

Construction began in the mid-19th century, with the principal phase completed in the late 1800s under the design of James Renwick Jr.; the structure has been maintained and restored over subsequent decades.

The cathedral stands on Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets in Midtown Manhattan.

• Architectural style: Designed by architect James Renwick Jr., the cathedral is a prominent example of 19th-century Neo-Gothic architecture in the United States.
• Ecclesiastical seat: The building is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York and functions as an active parish with regular liturgies and public visits.

What to See #

• Sanctuary and nave: The cathedral sanctuary and nave contain marble altars, stained glass windows and a carved reredos forming the principal public worship space.
• Crypt and chapels: The cathedral crypt holds tombs and memorials and is accessed beneath the main church floor.