Roof Design: Renwick Cathedral

Originally, for the interior, the roof design was stone vaulted but, due to budget issues, Renwick decided on wood masked to look like stone. The cathedral itself is mostly marble, except for the ceiling. One main room opens at the center, surrounded by multiple recesses on all sides. The cathedral design does not allow for much daylight to enter through the stain glass windows. Light comes from small lamps suspended from the ceiling, which also lights the recesses. Some of the recesses along the side of the cathedral contain steps leading to private chapels or sculptures of saints. The crossed-ribbed vaults support the vast ceiling. Thin marble pillars give support to the cross-ribbed vaults, which rise to 110 ft. above the nave. Scattered
The sanctuary holds the main altar, enclosed by a bronze canopy, or Baldacchino. Two exit doorways stand beside the altar, covered by relief sculptures of saints. An ambulatory sits beyond the altar, where candles are lit. The altar underwent a renovation in the 1930s to 1940s credited to Archbishop Francis Spellman. The original altar now stands in in the University Church of Fordham University at Rose Hill in the Bronx, N.Y. John Cardinal O’Connor designed the current stone altar standing in the cathedral, built from sections taken from the side altars eliminated to relocate the baptismal area. Nearing the steps of the sanctuary is a sculpture of St. Patrick, which shows him carrying a book of gospel and shamrock on his left
Michael located to the right and the altar of St. Louis to the left. Both received as a gift from the Bouvier family and constructed by the Tiffany Company. Also located beyond the sanctuary stands the Lady Chapel, enveloped by large stained-glass windows, and reserved as a space for prayer. Above the altar in the chapel sits a sculpture of Our Lady of New York. Outside of the Lady Chapel stands the Pieta sculptured by William Ordway Partridge in 1906. Above the Pieta, four red hats with tassels, known as galeros, hang from the ceiling. The cathedral’s crypt, situated underneath the high altar, stands the resting location of important Catholic figures, such as the Archbishops that have served in New York. Pierre Toussaint is the only burial that has no association with the clergy.

Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the cathedral’s site, aside from the elaborate Gothic architecture, marks its prominence. Based on the vertical scale, the cathedral appears to work better with an open space surrounding it. When construction started, the site was a relatively open space and fronted mansions extending across 5th Avenue. Originally, the design of the cathedral intended for it to denote the highest elevation in the city. With time and advancements in construction, the building has become enclosed by skyscrapers. For a short time, the cathedral faced a Union