St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York

St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City is the seat of the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, and a parish church, located at 50th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

Related Topics:
New York City - Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York - Fifth Avenue - Manhattan

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The site of the present cathedral was bought for $11,000 on March 6, 1810, as a site for an orphanage. The diocese of New York was made an archdiocese by Pope Pius IX on July 19, 1850, and on October 6, 1850 Archbishop John Joseph Hughes announced his intention to erect a new cathedral to replace Old St. Patrick's, which is located on the intersection of Prince and Mott Streets on Mulberry Street. (The old cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1866 and was rebuilt and rededicated by 1868. It is still a parish church and is the oldest Catholic building in New York City.)

Related Topics:
March 6 - 1810 - Pope Pius IX - July 19 - 1850 - October 6 - Old St. Patrick's - 1866

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A cornerstone was laid on August 15, 1858 just south of the diocese's orphanage, well north of the populous area of New York at that time. The cathedral was designed in Gothic style by architect James Renwick, Jr.. Work was begun in 1858, but was halted during the American Civil War, commencing again in 1865. The cathedral was completed in 1878 and dedicated on May 25, 1879, its huge proportions dominating the mid-town of that time. The archbishop's house and the rectory were added from 1882-1884 and the adjacent school opened in 1882. Towers on the West Front were added in 1888, and an addition on the east, including a Lady Chapel, designed by Charles T. Mathews, began in 1901. The cathedral was renovated between 1927-1931, when the great organ was installed, and the sanctuary was enlarged.

Related Topics:
Cornerstone - August 15 - 1858 - James Renwick, Jr. - American Civil War - 1865 - 1878 - May 25 - 1879 - Lady Chapel - Charles T. Mathews - 1927 - 1931

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