American Cathedrals: What’s the Draw?
Cathedrals evoke a wonderful sense of spirituality and history. You may think you have to visit a faraway country to see these old and venerable buildings that are more than just plain “churches.” Surprisingly, there are some terrific cathedrals in the United States, available to many cross-country travelers. These places may not have stood for a thousand years, but each cathedral has a great story of its own and loads of history to discover and explore. Many will argue that it isn’t the size of the church that matters but the spiritual aura that surrounds houses of worship; this is true in a sense, but most of us admit that we would rather visit those huge old structures filled to the brim with glorious decoration, towering spires, and beautiful stained-glass than the smaller, out-of-the-way places.
Planning Where to Go
Once the decision for a themed family vacation has been made, research is imperative. Where are these American cathedrals located? Mostly you will find them in big cities, such as picturesque St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, Louisiana, stunning National Cathedral in Washington, D. C., and stately St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, but this is not always the case. Some smaller cities have cathedrals just as beautiful but perhaps not as well known, like the 18th century Basilica of St. Augustine in St. Augustine, Florida. It is important to know what distance you want to travel, to determine which of the following places are possible to see. For instance, if you’re located in the southeast, New Orleans and St. Augustine will probably be easiest. For northern-based families, New York City is a good choice, and both northeast and southeast families should find it fairly easy to visit Washington D.C.
The People’s Cathedral in the Nation’s Capital
Let’s start with the National Cathedral. Standing in front of this massive construction and looking up at its beautiful towers and delicately-carved facade is like stepping through a portal to Notre Dame in Paris. Americans are truly blessed to have a cathedral so beautiful in the nation’s capital, and the best part is, visitors can explore inside these hallowed walls. The only problem is not having enough time; for those who take a tour bus to Washington, as I did, time is limited and you may arrive at the end of the day. You can still make the most out of the experience by researching ahead of time.
Although the *concept* of a cathedral in Washington goes back hundreds of years, the actual building didn’t start until the early 20th century. The church has been a spiritual haven for people trying to escape the sorrows of war and tragedy, and continues to be a peaceful and awe-inspiring place today. Don’t miss the many intricate stained-glass windows; no cathedral is complete without these beautiful decorations. Keep in mind that all parts of the cathedral probably won’t be open to the public at the time of your visit.
St. Patrick’s: The Old Face of New York City
St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City has one of the city’s most recognizable faces. It dates back to the late 1800s, a bit further than the National Cathedral; every inch of the sharply-etched exterior calls visitors back to the gothic days. It is amazing to be lost in the mass of people and very modern, towering apartments, then suddenly round the corner and be transported to the Middle Ages when St. Patrick’s comes into view. It is certainly one of the most historic and most beautiful buildings in this thoroughly modern city. The interior is just as striking, if not more so, as the exterior. If attending Mass in on the schedule, check ahead to see if this will be possible.
Elegant and Historic St. Louis Cathedral
St. Louis Cathedral is the “face of the city” in many ways. It is been part of New Orleans since the late 1700s. This old church has survived centuries of wear and tear, and, more recently, the ravages of the river; if you visit New Orleans and have a fascination for the French Quarter and pristine European architecture, make sure to take some time to visit. This isn’t your average gothic cathedral; it is elegant in a different way, tall and white and spired, like a country church. St. Louis has had its share of famous visitors, but what makes it unique is the history of the city that surrounds it. New Orleans has fought tooth and claw for hundreds of years to stay on top, fighting illnesses, governments, and floods. St. Louis is a symbol of that struggle and triumph.
St. Augustine’s Cathedral Offering
While traveling down south, stop by St. Augustine, Florida, for a smaller but still beautiful cathedral known as the Basilica of St. Augustine. It’s not as famous as the others, but its history is wrapped up in this town that has survived since the mid-1500s. The Basilica is stark-white with a colonial look not entirely unlike that of St. Louis (consider that New Orleans was once owned by the Spanish, and the Spanish built the Basilica in St. Augustine). The columned front entrance is impressive, but the bell tower soaring next to the main bulk of the cathedral is even more beautiful. If you happen to visit around Easter, during the Blessing of the Fleet, you may see colorfully-costumed parishioners exiting the cathedral.
The Basilica of St. Augustine (or the St. Augustine Cathedral, depending on what websites are used) was originally built in the late 1700s; the bell tower is a newer addition. Taking a trolley tour through St. Augustine is a great way to see the cathedral and its environs, such as King Street, Trinity Episcopal, colonial Government House, the town plaza, and lovely Matanzas Bay. Try to take a tour of the inside and see the huge, gilded altar if possible.
Other Churches in the Nation’s Oldest City
Memorial Presbyterian Church, also located in St. Augustine, isn’t officially a cathedral but is just as beautiful. Constructed in the 1880s by wealthy patron Henry Flagler as a burial place for his daughter and granddaughter, Memorial Presbyterian is one of the prettiest churches you will see in the country. Built in a Greek style with a huge cross topping the edifice, the church is highlighted in many different colors from a muted slate-gray to the orange terra-cotta of the towers. St. Augustine also boasts the yellow Ancient City Baptist church, Trinity Episcopal, and the small but lovely Spanish-style Chapel of Our Lady of LaLeche.
