Cathedral of St. John the Divine
(Episcopal)
1047 Amsterdam Avenue (at West 112th Street)
Manhattan
(212) 316-7540

Public Tours:
Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, 1:00 p.m.

Vertical Tours:
1st and 3rd Saturday of the month at noon and 2:00 p.m.

Summary: Begun in 1892, this magnificent stone structure, which is roughly the length of two football fields (larger than Notre Dame and Chartres combined), continues to be a work- in-progress and is likely still to be under construction decades from now. Concerts are frequently held here and guided tours are available.

The most impressive feature of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine is, without a doubt, its size. This building is HUGE! Tour guides for this cathedral proudly note that the Cathedral is the largest cathedral in the world and that the Statue of Liberty would fit comfortably under its central dome. It's design combines soaring Romanesque and High Gothic architecture.

History
The cornerstone for the cathedral was laid on December 27, 1892, St. John's Day. Its nave (the main aisle in the Cathedral) was dedicated in 1941, one week before Pearl Harbor was bombed, and after that, no construction took place until 1979, when the cathedral began training local youth to help with the stone work. There should be plenty to keep these local workers busy: the cathedral is still unfinished, and it is not expected to be completed for another 75 to 100 years!

Favorite Features
If you stay only for the one-hour tour, the fee you paid for the public tour will have been worth it. Designed with a wide range of interests in mind, the Cathedral has something for everyone.

One of our favorite features is the beautiful stained-glass windows in the bays on either side of the nave , which are dedicated to what one tour guide called "human endeavors." For example, one window is devoted to sports. You will see biblical figures in each frame of the window, surrounded by scenes of football, soccer, and baseball players. The person who designed this window quite tastefully brought together ancient religious figures with twentieth century sports. Other windows are dedicated to topics such as American history, the armed forces, and medicine.

Higher up are another set of larger windows which tell the story of Christ. Even if you are not religious you will be able to appreciate the color that these windows bring in to an otherwise dark cathedral.

We also enjoyed looking at some of the secular exhibits, such as the Poet's Corner, where the names of famous American authors lie in the floor with a quote from each author underneath and the wall where children's poems are posted.

Stone Sculpture
The Cathedral itself is a masterpiece of stone work. Within this huge stone structure lie many smaller stone treasures. Two pieces bear special mention here. First, be sure to visit the baptistery. The fountain is an incredible piece of work (though it held no water when we were there). While you are there, look for a glimpse of the oldest cornerstone of the cathedral, which is directly under the baptistery.

Equally interesting are the nineteen two-foot tall statues that surround the front of the high altar. Each statue is of a significant individual who lived in one of the last twenty centuries. Most of these statues are of religious figures, beginning with Saint Paul. But Christopher Columbus, Shakespeare, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln are also represented. The twentieth slot has been left open, indicating that there has not yet been a decision regarding who will represent our century. Note though that the cathedral has already given some indication of whom they regard as the great figures of the twentieth century. For example, the face of Nelson Mandela has been carved into a stone that will one day be part of the exterior of the cathedral.

More to See and Hear About
The stories and sights in this cathedral are endless. Take your time and take in as much as you can. In particular, make sure your guide tells you about:

• How the cathedral acquired the vase from Emperor Hirohito that sits on the high altar.
• The silk tapestries that hang on either side of the main altar.
• The sixth largest rose window in the United States.
• The St. Francis Day festivities, when an elephant participates in the processional down the aisle of the cathedral (yes, an actual, live elephant, the kind that needs a pooper-scooper in its wake!).

Recommended Strategy
We recommend four things to make your tour more informative and enjoyable:

First, take a leisurely stroll throughout the cathedral before your tour. St. John the Divine is immense -- so no matter how hard your tour guide tries, he or she will simply not be able to explain every aspect of the cathedral. If you have already looked around a bit, you can ask your tour guide questions about things that are especially interesting to you.

Second, remember to bring your camera. The Cathedral is gorgeous and as long as there are no services in progress, you can take pictures anywhere you like.

Third, get a map of the Cathedral as soon as you arrive. You won't get lost, but the map will provide you with a better idea of what you are looking at.

Fourth, save time to explore the glorious gardens, keeping an eye out for the peacocks who wander through them.

The Vertical Tour
The vertical tour takes you up to the walkways near the ceiling of the cathedral. Note that reservations are required (call the Public Education number below). Although this tour may be interesting and may give you a better view of the high windows of the church, keep in mind that Michelangelo (or anyone else) did not paint its ceilings.

Getting There
By subway, take the #1 or the #9 train to either 110th or 116th St. Walk east one block until you come to Amsterdam Ave. If you got off at 110th St., take a left and walk until you reach the cathedral. If you got off at 116th St., take a right. You will not be able to miss it.

The Best Time to Go
Although the cathedral is busiest on weekends, it is large enough to withstand the crowds. Remember, though, that this is a place of worship. You will not be able to inspect the altars while a service is taking place, nor will you be allowed to take photos. It would be wise to avoid coming here on Sunday mornings.

Information and Events
Consider attending a service at the Cathedral. The schedule is as follows:

Sunday Services:
8:30 am - Morning Prayer & Holy Eucharist
9:30 am - La Santa Misa en Espanol
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist & Laying on of Hands
6:00 pm - Choral Evensong & Organ Meditation

Monday-Saturday Services:
8:00 am - Morning Prayer
8:30 am - Holy Eucharist
12:15 pm - Holy Eucharist
5:30 pm - Evening Prayer

Thursday Only:
7:15 am - Morning Prayer & Holy Eucharist

4th Saturday of every month:
1:00 pm - AIDS Memorial Service

The cathedral presents events that are often free to the public, ranging from poetry readings to musical concerts. Call the Box Office for more information.

The cathedral has a host of different phone numbers:

Public Education: (212) 932-7347
Cathedral Information: (212) 316-7540
Cathedral Offices: (212) 316-7490
Cathedral Shop: (212) 222-7200
Box Office: (212) 662-2133

Or hop over to their web site for more information.

by Andrew Roche

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