The city of New York is an absolute must-see for everyone who is passionate about architecture, as it is filled with recognizable landmarks and breathtaking skyscrapers. Even people who are less design-inclined can appreciate and admire the beauty of the city's structures, which range from traditional to contemporary styles.
Now that almost everyone is returning to the good old days of the pre-pandemic, it is highly recommended to visit some of the many stunning churches in New York City. These churches are known for their remarkable architecture and rich history.
Check out some of the following churches in New York City if you are touring or searching for new places to visit while you are out and about.
1. Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
Photo taken from the official website of Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
St. John the Divine, constructed by Episcopalians and thought to be the largest Anglican cathedral-church in the world, was partly built to compete with St. Patrick's Cathedral.
The cathedral is an excellent example of France's High Gothic style and was built in the traditional stone-by-stone fashion using a combination of limestone and granite.
It also has seven independent chapels, each of which is named for a different patron saint.
As the mother church of the Episcopal Diocese of New York and the seat of its bishop, the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine is founded to serve as a house of prayer for all people, as well as an uniting center of intellectual light and leadership.
2. Church of St. Francis Xavier
Photo taken from the official website of Church of St. Francis Xavier
The Fordham Jesuits were initially responsible for establishing the Church of St. Francis Xavier; however, the old structure was destroyed in 1878, and a new one was built in 1882.
Since 1851, this Flatiron institution has served the city's Catholic population; yet, in modern times, it has catered to a more progressive congregation.
The outside of the church was designed in the Neo-Baroque style. At the same time, the interior featured stained glass windows, as well as paintings and sculptures depicting religious themes.
3. Church of St. Francis of Assisi
Photo taken from official Facebook page of Church of St. Francis of Assisi
This Roman Catholic parish church was constructed in 1892 to serve the needs of the rapidly developing community it was in.
Church of St. Francis of Assisi is well-known for housing the Glorification of the Mother of Jesus, one of the most extensive mosaics in the country, and built in the conventional Gothic Revival style.
Also, the church is known for conducting one of the nation's longest-standing breadlines, initially established during the Great Depression, which aims to provide food for those hungry.
4. Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew
Photo taken from Brooklyn Relics
The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew is a Christ-centered Christian community that is part of the Jesus movement's Episcopal branch.
This notable Neo-Romanesque church in Brooklyn was created by the renowned architect John Welch, who took his inspiration from the basilicas seen in Italy.
The church can be found in the neighborhood of Clinton Hill, and its exterior features a rose window with a diameter of 28 feet that sits above the main entry.
5. Church of St. Mary the Virgin
The well-preserved Gothic architecture, which includes vaulting columns suitable for the famed booming organ pipes and the splashes of blue and gold that were added during a redecoration in the 1990s, make the place the primary destination for tourists.
Because of the significant amount of incense that is burned at the church regularly, many locals frequently referred to this church as Smoky Mary's.
In 1868, Saint Mary's was established in midtown Manhattan with the purpose of serving as the Episcopal parish church for the newly developed residential neighborhood that was at the time known as Longacre Square.
6. Church of the Transfiguration
Photo taken from official Facebook page of Church of the Transfiguration
The Church of Transfiguration in Chinatown has a building with a lychgate resembling Chinese architecture, two towers, and an L-shaped floor plan that is essentially a tangle of confused rooms and features.
The west tower serves as the primary entrance, and the chapels on the left as you approach were once the parish schoolrooms.
As a narthex, this space attained its current appearance in 1926 and is separated from the main church by two screens (with organ above).
To the east are the nave and south aisle, which have a little wooden arcade with four bays. The addition of the south transept in 1852 and its expansion in the 1860s.
F.C. Withers renovated and extended the chancel between 1880 and 1881. In the angle formed by the south aisle and south transept, the oddly octagonal St. Joseph's chapel with an apse facing southwest and a second tower-like upper stage was erected.
Despite this disarray and collision of elements, the church has a degree of charm and allure to be experienced. It is theatrical, yet small and intimate, much like a theater and audience.
There are chapels in the wings, as well as a lot of interesting and distinctive elements. Consider the contrast between the roof-supporting brackets on the north side of the nave and the narrow pillars on the opposite side.
Then there is the organ's peculiar placement (below, left) and the surrounding forest of pillars.
The church is so dark that dormers were added; in keeping with New York tradition, these dormers are also filled with stained glass.
The window by the pulpit, however, is worth a closer look, as it contains possibly the earliest stained glass of any church in the United States: a C14 figure of Saint Faith from a Belgian church destroyed during the Napoleonic wars.
7. Église St-Jean-Baptiste
Photo taken from The New York Landmarks Conservancy
The Eglise of St. Jean Baptiste is listed on the National Registry of Historic Buildings, and widely regarded as one of the most stunning churches in the United States.
This Catholic parish church on the Upper East Side was created by an award-winning Italian architect who was influenced by the styles of Mannerism.
Historically, the Upper East Side was home to many French Canadians.
8. Judson Memorial Church
In the early 1900s, the Judson Evangelical Baptist Church transformed into a well-known performing and visual arts venue.
Since then, it has presented the works of artists such as the painter Robert Rauschenberg, the musician Yoko Ono, and the choreographer Trisha Brown, the founder of Judson Dance Theater.
The church has long been dedicated to social outreach concerns such as women's rights and AIDS assistance for the LGBT community.
Currently, the church participates in the new sanctuary movement to promote immigrant rights.
9. Norwegian Seamen's Church
This building in Midtown East is part of the Church of Norway. The Norwegian Seamen's Church serves as a place of worship for Norwegian seafarers and expatriates and a cultural center for anyone interested in learning more about Norway.
A full-service cafe with smoked fish and baked foods may be found on the premises, along with scale models of traditional Scandinavian sailing vessels.
10. Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Photo taken from The New York Transatlantic
The Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, also known as the old Cathedral of the Archdiocese of New York, was constructed in the area that is today known as Chinatown approximately two centuries ago.
Interestingly, the edifice, which is steeped in history, was burned down by anti-Catholic protesters in 1836.
One must stop in Chinatown at Old St. Patrick's and its sister church, the neighboring Shrine Church of Most Precious Blood. Both of these churches are worth seeing.
11. Park Church Co-op
Photo taken from official website of Park Church Co-op
The elegant facility of the church hosts musical performances occasionally; however, the attendees are more likely to be wine drinkers than beer drinkers.
Park Church Co-op is a Lutheran ministry that emphasizes radical love of the neighbor via the provision of hospitality and invitation.
12. Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton
Photo by Robert Cutts of Flickr
The builders of the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton followed the Neocolonial architecture style. The church is located in the city’s Financial District.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native-born American to be canonized by the Catholic church, was honored in naming this structure, which was completed in 1965.
In addition, she founded the very first Catholic girls' school in the United States.
13. St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church
The St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church's intricately vaulted roof and window tracery was distinguished as a significant example of Gothic Revival architecture in the United States.
Before 1869, a 275-foot tower was intended but not constructed. Prior to its removal in 1906 due to worries about falling stone and the expense of rebuilding, its spire was the most prominent landmark in Brooklyn and was utilized by ship captains to navigate the harbor.
Over a brick core, the facade is coated with porous brownstone. The inside walls are made of stone-colored and textured plaster.
The nave measures 145 feet by 42 feet. The exquisite fan-vaulted ceiling reaches a height of 63 feet. The pews are constructed of walnut. The 1899 reconstruction included the existing altar, brass chancel rail, pulpit, reredos, and chancel tiles. Vines and plant embellishments adorn the arches and vault groins of the Gothic-style architecture throughout the interior.
14. St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Photo from official website of St. Patrick’s Cathedral
This Catholic church, which was built in the neo-Gothic style, is one of the most well-known structures in New York City.
The St. Patrick’s Cathedral was initially constructed in the 1800s as a replacement for the Old St. Patrick's Cathedral, located in Chinatown. It can be found just across from Rockefeller Center.
A colossal sculpture of the Pietà, which takes up an entire block, a detailed rose window, and a block's work of Tuckahoe marble are some of the remarkable design characteristics of this building, which occupies an entire block.
15. Trinity Church Wall Street
Photo taken from Facebook page of Trinity Church Wall Street
Trinity Church is one of the city's most historically significant places of worship, having a history that spans three centuries. It was built in the neo-Gothic style, with 23 bells that can be heard ringing all across the downtown area of Manhattan.
As a result of its lofty spire, it once held the title of the tallest building in the city when it was constructed for the Church of England under a charter from King William III.
The original three distinct buildings on the same land have been joined together through the course of several modifications and additions that have been made over the years.
The Trinity Church Wall Street is a growing and inclusive Episcopal parish, that builds Gospel-living neighborhoods, generations of faithful leaders, and sustainable communities to serve and heal the globe.
