Cathedral of Saint John the Divine
The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine is the mother church of the Episcopal Diocese of New York and the seat of its bishop. Begun in 1892 with a cornerstone-laying on the heights of Morningside Heights, it ranks among the largest church buildings in the world, stretching 601 feet (183 metres) in length. Despite more than a century of work it remains roughly two-thirds complete, earning the affectionate nickname "St. John the Unfinished" and embodying the cathedral's open-ended, evolving character.
The design tells the story of changing architectural taste. The original architects Heins & LaFarge planned a Romanesque-Byzantine structure, but after the chief designers died the commission passed to Ralph Adams Cram, who reworked the building in soaring French Gothic, leaving a visible seam where the two styles meet. The cathedral is celebrated for its rose window, immense nave, the Great Organ, and seven Chapels of the Tongues honouring the city's immigrant communities. A devastating fire in 2001 damaged the north transept and gift shop, prompting a major restoration.
Known for its progressive and inclusive spirit, the cathedral hosts the annual Blessing of the Animals on the Feast of St. Francis, the Paul Winter Consort's Winter Solstice Celebration, and a wide program of concerts, art installations, and civic gatherings alongside daily worship. Dedicated to John the Divine, traditionally identified as the author of the Book of Revelation, it welcomes visitors for self-guided and guided tours, including periodic climbs to the top of the structure for sweeping views.
- Location
- 40.8039, -73.9621
- Local time
- 18:37 (America/New_York)
🕘 Visiting hours
| Mon–Sat | 09:30–17:00 |
| Sun | 12:00–17:00 |
Published sightseeing hours; timed tickets are encouraged and hours can change for services and special events. Verify on the official site.
✨ Saints & blessed venerated here
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Saint John the Divine (John the Apostle) Saint
The cathedral is dedicated to John the Divine, traditionally identified as the author of the Book of Revelation.
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Saint Francis of Assisi Saint
The cathedral's renowned annual Blessing of the Animals is held on the Feast of St. Francis, patron of animals and ecology.
Care & donations
Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine (Episcopal Diocese of New York)
Sightseeing admission is ticketed (around $15 adults); those coming to pray or worship enter free.
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