Gazing upon Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, have you ever considered its unlikely origin? This grand cathedral, a symbol of New York City’s Catholic community, was once considered “Hughes’ folly”. In 1853, Archbishop John Joseph Hughes envisioned a new cathedral for the burgeoning Catholic population, outgrowing the old Saint Patrick’s on Mulberry Street. He selected this Fifth Avenue lot, then considered a rural outpost, much to the skepticism of New Yorkers. Construction of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral began in 1858, designed by James Renwick Jr. in the Gothic Revival style. The Civil War interrupted progress, but work resumed in 1865, finally concluding in 1878. The cathedral was dedicated in May 1879. The spires, reaching 330 feet, were added in 1888, briefly becoming the tallest structures in the city. Interestingly, due to funding constraints, the “temporary” plaster and wood ceiling installed during construction remains to this day. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral boasts stunning stained glass, mostly from France, and nineteen bells, each with a unique dedication, housed in the north tower. These bells were initially operated by a compressed air system, a novel technology at the time. Beneath the grand altar lies a crypt, the final resting place of all deceased Archbishops of New York. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral stands not only as a testament to faith, but as a symbol of perseverance, rising from “folly” to become one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to