The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine — Attraction in New York

There’s no doubt this is a beautiful church architecturally (5 stars), and it is worth visiting. However, there are a couple of reasons why I had to take off two stars.

First, there’s an admission fee, and I have to say it’s pretty steep: $15. It’s presumably an entrance fee with a self-guided tour. However, I was only given a postcard with a QR code, your self-guided tour! If I had been asked for a donation to enter the church, I wouldn’t have any issue. If I had to pay an additional fee for a self-guided audio tour, I wouldn’t have had any issues with that, either. Finally, the sign outside the visitor entrance is misleading (my photo). It says ‘The Cathedral of St John the Divine is a house of prayer for all people. You are welcome here. Please be ready to show your bag(s) to Security upon entering. Please check-in at the Visitor Center.’ When I read this seemingly warm welcome, I did not expect or dream of being charged $15 just to enter the church.

Second, the lady at the Visitor Center was nice and friendly. However, the security guard at the entrance was rude. The security guy at the exit was UNBELIEVABLY rude. So, the cathedral is on W 112 street. When you exit the building, you walk on a small walkway towards W 111 street, and there’s a security booth. As I was exiting the premises and right before the security booth, I saw beautiful old stone buildings, which I think are school buildings. I was just amazed and had to stop. As soon as I stopped, the security guy in the booth shouted ‘Can I help you?’ in the meanest possible way. He did not mean ‘(you seem lost) how can I help you?’ It was clear by his tone, he meant ‘what the hell are you doing?’ I simply told him ‘I’m looking at the buildings.’ I was not trespassing; I had pay an admission fee to the church, I was on the path to exit the premises. All I did was stop and admire the buildings. I was not even taking pictures or anything. You know what he did to me? The security guy gave me a ‘GET OUT’ hand gesture.

Based on my experience, I suggest that you look at the cathedral from outside. There’s a small park on W111 street. Go there and look at the cathedral from a different angle. I do not recommend going inside unless you want to pay $15 AND get yelled at. Just so that you know many other churches do not charge admission, including the St Patrick’s...

$15 Entrance fee for adults as of 7/19/25. The Cathedral of St. John the Divine (sometimes referred to as St. John's and also nicknamed St. John the Unfinished) is the cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. It is at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City, between West 110th Street (also known as Cathedral Parkway) and West 113th Street.

The cathedral is an unfinished building, with only two-thirds of the proposed building completed, due to several major stylistic changes, work interruptions, and unstable ground on the site. The original design, in the Byzantine Revival and Romanesque Revival styles, began construction in 1892. After the opening of the crossing in 1909, the overall plan was changed to a Gothic Revival design. The completion of the nave was delayed until 1941 due to various funding shortfalls, and little progress has occurred since then, except for an addition to the tower at the nave's southwest corner. After a large fire damaged part of the cathedral in 2001, it was renovated and rededicated in 2008. The towers above the western elevation of the facade, as well as the southern transept and a proposed steeple above the crossing, have not been completed.

Despite being incomplete, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine is the world's fourth-largest church by area and either the largest or second-largest Anglican cathedral.[a] The floor area of St. John's is 121,000 sq ft (11,200 m2), spanning a length of 601 feet (183 m), while the roof height of the nave is 177 feet (54 m). Since the cathedral's interior is so large, it has been used for hundreds of events and art exhibitions. In addition, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine has been involved in various advocacy initiatives throughout its history.

The cathedral close includes numerous buildings: the Leake & Watts Orphan Asylum Building, the cathedral proper, the St. Faith's House, the Choir School, the Deanery, and the Bishop's House. The buildings are designed in several different styles and were built over prolonged periods of construction, with the Leake & Watts Orphan Asylum predating the cathedral itself. The cathedral close was collectively designated an official city landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation...

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🕍 St. John the Divine, NYC – Visit Review

📍Location: 1047 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025 🌟 One of the largest cathedrals in the world 📸 “This is the Gate of Heaven”

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✨ First Impressions

From the moment you approach the cathedral, you’re struck by its Gothic Revival grandeur. The intricate façade, especially the portal statues and carvings, rivals European cathedrals in scale and detail.

The banner declaring “Gate of Heaven” isn’t just decorative — it captures the overwhelming verticality and spiritual aspiration of the building. It’s both majestic and deeply moving.

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🗿 Exterior Architecture

The western façade features: • High-relief carvings of saints and biblical figures, each standing atop elaborately sculpted pedestals. • A rose window framed in stone tracery, a hallmark of Gothic design. • Three main portal doors, each with finely detailed tympanums and archivolts. • Modern touches: a rainbow flag representing inclusivity and progressiveness, blending tradition and modern values.

Even the surrounding Upper Manhattan buildings complement the stone cathedral with their brick-and-mortar charm, creating a striking cityscape.

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🌈 Symbolism & Vibe

One of the most powerful elements you captured is the integration of progressive symbolism (like the rainbow flag) into a traditional space. It speaks volumes about the cathedral’s commitment to community and inclusiveness in the 21st century.

Despite its monumental scale, the cathedral doesn’t feel cold — the surrounding trees, event posters, and accessible entrance signage give it a welcoming, community-first presence.

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🖼️ Visual Highlights

Must-see spots from your visit: The Portal Statues: Each column base tells a story — myth, faith, architecture, or human history — beneath serene stone saints. “Gate of Heaven” Banner: A bold, photogenic reminder of the cathedral’s spiritual mission. Rainbow Flag + Cathedral Spires: A fusion of tradition and progress in one powerful frame. Staircase Entrance: Wide, elevated steps that add a ceremonial gravity to your visit.

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📝 One-line Summary

“More than a church — a sacred monument of art, history, and living values in the heart of New York.”

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