Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City: The World’s Largest Protestant Cathedral
In my last post, I featured several photographs from a live performance by former Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant with his band Saving Grace at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, located at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue (between West 110th Street and 113th Street) in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights neighborhood.
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
The cathedral (also nicknamed St. John the Unfinished) still has only two-thirds of the proposed building completed, due to several major stylistic changes, work interruptions (including World War II), and unstable ground on the site. And despite being born and raised in New York City, I’d never ventured inside the cathedral (I mean, what’s there to do on Amsterdam Avenue anyway, right?). So I remedied that by taking a trip there from the Bronx (accompanied by my sister Elisa) a few days before the historic live show (and the day before Easter!) to finally take a peek inside.
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is recognized as one of the world’s largest Gothic cathedrals (second only to the Seville Cathedral in Spain in square meters) and one of the sixth largest church buildings on the planet. The cavernous interior spans roughly 121,000 square feet with a nave vaulting of 124 feet. It can hold over 5,000 to 8,000 people. It was incorporated in 1873 with its foundation being laid on Dec. 27, 1892, the Feast of St. John.
In 1873, the New York State legislature granted a Charter for The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine after the Rev. Horatio Potter, Bishop of New York, suggested to the Episcopalian Diocesan Convention that it was time to build an American Cathedral in New York City. Bishop Potter would die in 1887 and be succeeded by his nephew, the Rev. Henry Codman Potter, who began to solicit financial support for construction of the Cathedral.
In 1891, New York City–based architectural firm George Heins and Christopher Grant LaFarge won a three-year architecture competition to design the Cathedral, beating over 60 design submissions. Their eclectic design featured Romanesque, Byzantine and Gothic elements. The next year Bishop Potter would lay the cornerstone on St. John’s Day.
But by 1909, architectural preferences of the public were shifting away from the original design. So the trustees abruptly fired LaFarge, commissioning prolific and influential American architect Ralph Adams Cram to take his place as lead architect of St. John’s. The original Byzantine-Romanesque design was switched to a Gothic design.
After years of financial struggles and aggressive fundraising, the full 601-foot length of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine was finally opened for the first time on November 30, 1941. At that time, St. John’s was only three-fifths completed, yet it was the second-largest Christian church in the world by area, behind only St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
The Life of Christ (1990), a bronze and white-gold triptych altarpiece, is among the last works of noted New York City artist Keith Haring (1958-1990)
The event was commemorated with a week-long celebration. However, the last day of the celebrations, Sunday December 7, 1941 (“A date which will live in infamy”) was pretty much ruined by Japan’s decision to attack Pearl Harbor. With the consequent entry of the United States into World War II, St. John’s would not experience any more new construction for three decades(!)
We joined a group tour which offered vertical views of the cathedral from above
Construction would resume in 1979 but the project continued to be delayed due to a shortage of funds, slow development of the towers’ designs, and a depleted construction budget. On December 18, 2001, a fire swept through the unfinished north transept, destroying the gift shop and damaging tapestries. Despite the damage sustained, St. John’s reopened two weeks later.
“September 11th: A Memorial” by American sculptor Meredith Bergmann
The cathedral was rededicated on November 30, 2008. Guests at the service include New York Senators Hillary R. Clinton and Charles E. Schumer, Cardinal Edward Egan, and firefighters who battled the 2001 fire. With the cathedral’s spacious interior, it has been used for hundreds of events and art exhibitions. In addition, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine has been involved in various advocacy initiatives throughout its history.
And while still “unfinished”, the cathedral serves as the mother church of the Episcopal Diocese of New York and the seat of its bishop. The cathedral also serves the many diverse people of the diocese, city, nation and world through the worship of God; pastoral, educational and community outreach activities; cultural and civic events; international ecumenical initiatives; and the preservation of the great architectural and historic site that is its legacy.
The Peace Fountain is a 40-foot-high sculpture and fountain located next to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. It was commissioned in 1985 by Greg Wyatt, sculptor-in-residence at the cathedral.
Me and my lil sister Elisa and lil brother Ruben (head honcho at Le Poisson Rouge who were presenting the Robert Plant show) enjoyed our time at the Cathedral. Now, while it ain’t exactly on the level of the Duomo di Milano or the Catedral de Sevilla, it was still rather impressive (especially considering it’s unfinished!) and well worth a visit.
Visiting times are Monday–Saturday from 9:30am–5pm and Sunday from 12pm–5pm. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for students. You can purchase timed tickets online (30-minute admission window). All those who are seeking a place for prayer or meditation are welcomed without charge. Still photography is, of course, permitted. Visit stjohndivine.org to learn more.
Here’s the full gallery, enjoy…
