2-Day New York Faith-Filled Tour

Day 1 You'll See710174269_50dfbb45b9_o

  • Trinity Church
  • St. Patrick's Cathedral
  • Cathedral of St. John the Divine

Day 2 You'll See

  • Temple of Emanu-El
  • Eldridge Street Synagogue
  • Museum of Jewish Heritage

 

 

Day
1

Trinity Church
A striking Episcopal Church with a famous location at Broadway and Wall Street, Trinity Church has its foundations rooted in American history. With a continuously thriving faithful community, Trinity Church remains a stunning construction of religious significance as well as a national landmark. Though the first Trinity Church was lost in the Great Fire of New York City in 1776, the current facade was completed in 1846 and has served the area well ever since. The church continuously welcomes visitors to worship in their weekly services and also to tour the historic grounds and complex which stretches several blocks. Tour the art, architecture, and history of Trinity Church and then visit St. Paul's Chapel a few blocks away to see where George Washington himself worshiped.

St. Patrick's Cathedral
Perhaps one of the most recognizable cathedrals in the United States, this New York landmark has been in operation since 1878. This was one of the first cathedrals in New York after the establishment of the archdiocese in 1850 under the guidance of Archbishop John Joseph Hughes. Hughes commissioned the church to accommodate the growing Catholic faith, the increasing number of immigrants, and to represent the glory of God through stunning stonework and striking architecture. They certainly succeeded and today this Fifth Avenue cathedral strikes a pose against the Manhattan skyline, situated between modern buildings and across the street from Rockefeller Center. Guided and walk-in tours are welcome Monday through Friday and tour the cathedral's most notable and impressive highlights.

Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Considered by some to be the largest Anglican cathedral in the world, St. John the Divine earned its position through nearly a century of construction and faithful perseverance. Commissioned by the Episcopal Bishop to rival the Catholic St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue, St. John the Divine was to be a massive construction of Gothic Revival architecture, stonework angels, and incredible artwork. The main construction took decades to finish, beginning in 1892, and the stonework on the central portal facade was not finished until 1997. This did not thwart the Anglican faithful from coming to worship, sometimes in the crypt while the church was under construction. Today, the church is finished and welcomes visitors of all faiths to worship and tour the building, exploring the many interesting facets of art, architecture, history, and religion.

Day
2

Temple of Emanu-El
The Temple of Emanu-El remains one of the largest synagogues in the entire world, on par with the ancient religious orders of Eastern Europe and Russia. This beautiful New York institution is also the first to practice Reform Judaism in New York, established in 1845 by German Jewish immigrants looking for a place to call their religious home. The original construction, though beautiful, was not meant to last and was sold to a commercial developer in the 1920s. The synagogue you'll find today, on Fifth Avenue and 65th Street, came from a merger with the Temple of Beth-El in 1927. Ever since, the temple has grown and thrived, becoming one of the largest and most active Jewish congregations in the city. Stop by and explore the temple on your own or with a knowledgeable guide to learn more about the history of the two merged congregations, the architecture of the incredible synagogue, and much more.

Eldridge Street Synagogue
One of the oldest, continuously operating Jewish temples in New York, Eldridge Street Synagogue is a beacon for the Jewish faith through perseverance of character, faith, and the American freedom of religion. Built in 1887, the synagogue fell somewhat into disrepair but never ceased its weekly religious services. In the 1980s, restoration efforts were established to bring the synagogue back to its original glory, highlighting its many beautiful points. Frescoes were uncovered, stained glass windows replaced, and a museum built to educate visitors on the history and traditions of the Jewish faith.

Museum of Jewish Heritage
Established to educate visitors on the history and culture of Judaism in the 20th and 21st centuries, the Museum of Jewish Heritage is "a living memorial to the Holocaust." Collections and exhibits range in topics from artwork done by Jewish artists to the history of Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals, Auschwitz concentration camp, and American Jewish immigrants and refugees during WWII. Student groups are welcome to participate in reserved school group tours and programs, self-guided explorations of the collections, and more.