New York City has an abundance of churches, temples, synagogues, and meeting places for people of all faiths. Like all great architecture, these structures are both beautiful and useful. May 5-6, 2018, the New York Landmarks Conservancy will assemble hundreds of faith communities for their eighth annual “Sacred Sites Open House Weekend.” The theme this year is “Sacred Sounds and Settings,” meant to showcase the musical worship held in each congregation’s facilities.
Tiffany angel-themed windows at First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn Heights.
During the weekend, you’ll have access to churches and other houses of faith in all five boroughs of the city. Congregations will offer guided tours and overviews of their programming, including worship services and charity activities. Coming to “Sacred Sites” will promote the valuable work of these congregations and the preservation of their historical facilities.
In the past, popular tourism sites like Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Morningside Heights, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown East, and Eldridge Street Synagogue on the Lower East Side have participated. From the Poet’s Corner inside St. John the Divine to the starry stained-glass crowning the Eldridge Street Synagogue, these sacred sites are worth a stop or a re-visit if you’ve already been.
Tiffany angel-themed windows at First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn Heights.
Other, lesser-known houses of faith have opened their doors in past years as well. In a building that dates to 1826, the Bialystoker Synagogue on the Lower East Side is named Polish immigrants who historically worshipped there and hailed from the Bialystok province in Poland. Interested in the Greek Orthodox faith? Check out Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church with its lovely chandeliers and dark fretwork decorating the sanctuary.
In Chelsea, see The Church of St. Francis Xavier’s intricate ivory sanctuary, just down the street from your favorite shops on 5th Avenue. Temple Emanu-El on the Upper West Side will wow you with the colorful restorations recently made to the 1927 structure. Church of Saint Mary the Virgin near Rockefeller Center has welcomed visitors to view its blue ceilings and ornate wood decor throughout the sanctuary.
Image: The New York Landmarks Conservancy
Whether you’re a visitor or a dedicated New Yorker, whether Christian or Jewish or Hindu or atheist, take advantage of this special New York weekend. All participating faith communities will be delighted to host you! Find out more at nylandmarks.org.
