St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Midtown Manhattan, New York

 

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of New York as well as a parish church. It occupies a city block opposite Rockefeller Center on Fifth Avenue and is the largest Gothic Revival Catholic Cathedral in North America. 

Construction started in 1858 as a replacement to St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral. Work was stopped in the early 1860s during the American Civil War. Work was completed in 1878 and an Archbishop’s house and rectory were added in the early 1880s. As well as spires being added in 1888 and a Lady Chapel being added between 1901 and 1906, there were restorations in the 1940s, 1970s and 2010s. 

It’s impossible to summarise and document such a building on a quick post and even photographing the inside wasn’t entirely possible due to the fantastic detail and multitude of features. The sprinkling of photographs below are a selection from a quick “tourist visit” I was lucky enough to have in February 2023. 

The Church of Saint Mary The Virgin, Manhattan, New York

 

St. Mary’s original church was founded in 1868 as the Episcopal parish church located at 228 West 45th Street which is now the site of the Booth Theatre. The congregation had outgrown the church by 1890.

Thomas McKee Brown took his plan for a new church to Horacio Potter, Bishop of New York. Potter suggested a church was needed near Longacre Square which was renamed Times Square in 1905. It’s construction was completed in 1895 and it’s architect was Napoleon LeBrun who used a French Gothic style.

Today the church is known for its solemn liturgies and choral and organ music. The church has gained the nickname “Smoky Mary’s” due to the amount of incense used in the services. In 1996/7 the interior was restored by J.Lawrence Jones & Associates who put in vivid colours including cobalt blue vaulting with gold stars. 

St. Mark’s, Mayfair.

 

St Mark's (Mercato Metropolitano), Mayfair, is a Grade I listed building, a former Anglican place of worship in North Audley Street, in the Mayfair district of London.

St Mark's was built in 1825–28 and  constructed in the Greek revival style to the designs of John Peter Gandy. The church was listed Grade I in 1958. It was deconsecrated in 1974 and remained empty for many years, being included on English Heritage’s "Buildings at Risk" register for over 20 years. In July 2014 the building was acquired by Grosvenor Estates.

The building has been used for other events, such as by Nike, The London Summer Show, London Fashion Week and by Grosvenor Estates. Since November 2019 St Mark's has been 'Mercato Mayfair', a 'dog-friendly' 'cultural hub and sustainable community market' operated by Mercato Metropolitano.

https://mercatometropolitano.com/mercato-mayfair-2/

Germankraft: Fresh and authentic German Beer
Jim & Tonic: Organic and artisanal Gin
Badiani: The Iconic Italian Gelato & Coffee
Fresco: Authentic Neapolitan Pizza
Pasta Lovers: Fresh and Authentic Pasta
MM Grocery: Artisanal products
Rico Coco Cocktail Bar: Chicken Rotisserie and Cocktail Bar
Steamy & Co: Bao, Dumplings and Ramen
Santo Grill: Grilled meat, Burgers and Wine
Pad Thai House: Asian Fusion Street Food
Spice Lab: Malaysian Street Food
House of Poke: Fresh & Full of Flavour
Molo: Fish and Sea Food
TAM Fusion by John Burton-Race: Fusion of British, French and Vietnamese Food

Visited - 24th February 2023