St. Patrick's Cathedral is the great neo-Gothic church on Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets, directly opposite Rockefeller Center. It is the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of New York and one of the most visited churches in the United States. Entry is free, it is open to visitors every day outside of services, and stepping from the traffic of Midtown into the cool, high nave of St. Patrick's Cathedral is a memorable contrast.
Why visit St. Patrick's Cathedral
The cathedral was designed by architect James Renwick Jr. Work began in 1858, paused during the Civil War, and the building was dedicated in 1879; the twin spires on Fifth Avenue were completed about a decade later. At the time this was well north of the built-up city, and people questioned why such a large church was going up so far from the centre. Midtown grew around it, and today the white marble front stands between glass and steel towers, which only makes it more striking.
A major restoration finished in 2015 cleaned the façade and interior, so the stone and stained glass look brighter than they have in generations.
Getting to St. Patrick's Cathedral by subway
The nearest station is 5 Av/53 St on the E and M lines, about two blocks north of the cathedral. Come up onto Fifth Avenue and walk south. Another very close option is 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr on the B, D, F and M: walk east through Rockefeller Center's Channel Gardens and the cathedral is right across Fifth Avenue.
From the east side, 51 St on the 6 at Lexington Avenue is about a ten-minute walk west.
St. Patrick's Cathedral entry and tours
There is no charge to enter, and donations are welcome. You may pass through a security check at the doors. Guided tours and a self-guided audio tour are offered for a fee, and they cover history and details you would easily miss on your own. The official website, saintpatrickscathedral.org, has the current visiting hours, Mass schedule and tour information. Hours can change for special services, funerals and major feast days.
This is an active church. Dress modestly, keep your voice low, and avoid walking around the main aisle during Mass. Photography without flash is generally fine outside of services.
What to see inside
The bronze doors
The great bronze doors on Fifth Avenue are decorated with figures of saints and holy people connected with New York. Look at them before you go in, as they are easy to walk straight past.
The nave and the rose window
Turn back once you are inside to see the large rose window above the entrance, with the organ pipes below it. The long nave, with its ribbed vaulting, draws the eye to the high altar and its bronze baldachin.
The Lady Chapel
Behind the main altar, the Lady Chapel is a quieter space with its own fine stained glass. It is a good spot to sit for a few minutes.
The Pietà
Near the Lady Chapel is a large marble Pietà, much bigger than Michelangelo's in Rome.
Side altars and shrines
Many side altars line the aisles, dedicated to different saints, including a shrine to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born saint.
Best time to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral
Early on a weekday morning, before tour groups arrive, is the calmest time. Midday is busy with visitors and office workers coming in to pray. If you would like to hear the organ and choir, attending a Mass is the best way, but come as a worshipper or a quiet observer rather than a sightseer. The weeks before Christmas and Easter are particularly busy.
Most people spend 30 to 45 minutes inside. Add time if you take a guided tour.
A note on St. Patrick's Day
The New York St. Patrick's Day Parade passes the cathedral on Fifth Avenue each March. It is a great spectacle, but streets close and sidewalks are packed, so plan any visit to the interior for another day.
Nearby on the same subway stop
- Rockefeller Center: the Atlas statue faces the cathedral across Fifth Avenue.
- Top of the Rock: the observation deck on 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
- Museum of Modern Art: a few minutes north-west on West 53rd Street.
- Fifth Avenue shopping: flagship stores north toward Central Park.
For more around this station, see St. Patrick's Cathedral on Around the Metro, or browse the full New York subway map.