The world watched the burning of the Notre Dame Cathedral on Monday in what would become a grueling 12-hour battle by hundreds of firefighters to extinguish the inferno.
The fire engulfed and consumed Paris’ iconic church, starting with its spire and roof, but spared its bell towers. Paris officials also said the world famous 18th century organ that boasts 8,000 pipes also appears to have survived.
French President Emmanuel Macron has already pledged to rebuild the cathedral and appealed for help to do so.
Here in the Lehigh Valley, we’re just a few hours’ drive from soaring medieval labyrinths with intricate stained glass windows. Today, they have surely taken on a greater meaning and significance.
From The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine to Washington National Cathedral, these monuments are just as revered as their European counterparts.
The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
Where: 1047 Amsterdam Avenue at West 112th St., New York City.
The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine is an Episcopalian cathedral that takes up an entire block of Amsterdam Avenue at West 112th St in Manhattan and is tall enough to hold the Statue of Liberty. It is reported to be the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world.
Construction on the limestone-granite structure started in 1892, with the cathedral designed in the Romanesque-Byzantine style. The building has endured several fires, most recently in the crypt of the church on Palm Sunday morning, filling the cathedral’s 124-foot-high stone nave with smoke. Rebuilds have turned the cathedral into the French Gothic style apparent today. The Great Rose Window above the bronze doors on the Cathedral’s Amsterdam Avenue side is also the largest stained-glass window in the country, with more than 10,000 pieces of colored glass.
Visit: The cathedral is open for sightseeing daily. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Admission is $10 per person and $8 for students and seniors.
More information: https://www.stjohndivine.org/
The Cathedral of St. Patrick
Where: Located on the east side of Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets in New York City.
Commonly called St. Patrick’s Cathedral, it is a Neo-Gothic-style Roman Catholic church and a prominent landmark in Midtown Manhattan. It is also the seat of the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. The cornerstone of the cathedral was laid in 1858 and the doors opened in 1879, though the spires were not completed until 1888.
Restoration of the exterior of St. Patrick’s was completed for the 100th anniversary in 1979. In 2011, plans were put in place to launch a major effort to preserve the cathedral for generations to come.
Visit: Individuals and groups of less than 10 are welcome to join any of the scheduled guided tours offered. There is no cost, but there is a suggested donation of $5.00 per person. Tours for groups of 10-60 persons are available Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. through 4 p.m. and must be scheduled in advance.
More information: https://saintpatrickscathedral.org
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
Where: Located at 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, on the east side of Logan Square in Philadelphia.
Open since 1864, the cathedral is the head church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It is the largest brownstone structure in Philadelphia and the largest Catholic Church in Pennsylvania. The structure is modeled after the Lombard Church of Saint Charles (San Carlo al Corso) in Rome and is considered an excellent example of Roman-Corinthian architecture. In 1890 the consecration of the cathedral took place and was the most important religious event, of the time, to take place in Philadelphia. The great dome rises 156 feet above the floor of the Cathedral and reveals a painting of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin.
Visit: The cathedral is open daily. Hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. A cathedral ambassador can be found most days in the Basilica to answer general questions or to take you on a tour.
More information: http://cathedralphila.org
Washington National Cathedral
Where: Located at 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
Less commonly known as The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City, Washington National Cathedral is the cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. The structure of the church is of Neo-Gothic design and closely modeled on the English Gothic style of the late fourteenth century. It is the second-largest church building in the United States and one of the largest buildings in Washington D.C. Its history dates back to 1792, when the “Plan of the Federal City” set aside land for a “great church of national purposes.” Construction started September 29, 1907 and the Bethlehem Chapel opened for services in 1912.
The cathedral was damaged in August 2011 during an earthquake, and was closed later that year as $2 million was spent to stabilize the structure and remove damaged and loose stone. A full plan for restoration was later unveiled, but the struggle continues to cope with the cost of the damage.
Visit: Sightseeing hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours on Sunday begin after services, typically around 12:45 p.m. Changes and closures can be expected due to private events. Prices: Adults $12, Youth (ages 5 to 17) $8. Children under 5 are free. Guided tours are also available.
More information: https://cathedral.org
The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Where: Located at 89 Ridge St, Newark, N.J.
The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart is the fifth-largest cathedral in North America and the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. Construction began in 1899 and was finished in 1954. Along the way, the design plans were modified in favor of a French Gothic Revival style. Among the changes, the plan for pointed spires was scrapped due to weight concerns. Other modifications included the elimination of the exterior nave buttresses and pinnacles, and the addition of three “wheel pattern” rose windows.
The cathedral was designated an historic landmark by the New Jersey Historical Society in December, 1974. Two years later, on December 22, 1976, it was named a National Historic Site.
Visit: All who are inspired to visit the Cathedral Basilica in person are encouraged to do so. There are no posted public hours for visits or tours, so you are encouraged to call the office at 973-484-4600.
More information: http://www.cathedralbasilica.org/
Stephanie Sigafoos can be reached at 610-820-6612 or ssigafoos@mcall.com.
