10. St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, NY
| Year Consecrated: | 1879, 1910 |
| Style/architecture: | Gothic |
| Diocese: | New York |
| Length / Height: | 396.7ft / Spire height: 329.6ft |
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St. Patrick's was impressive, especially amidst the towering skyscrapers of New York City. If I'm being honest though, it was a bit of a letdown simply because there were so many tourists there more to gawk than pray.
9. St. James Cathedral, Seattle, WA
| Year Consecrated: | 1907 |
| Style/architecture: | Renaissance Revival |
| Diocese: | Seattle |
| Spire height: | 167ft |
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For years this was my #1 cathedral, if only because I saw it at a time that I really needed some peace and found it - especially in the Mary chapel. The room was warm from the candles that covered the wall, and yet it was so incredibly peaceful. The ceiling of the chapel danced with golden stars as the candles flickered. It is that Mary chapel that continues to hold my fond memories of St. James Cathedral and keep it in my top 10.
8. Cathedral of St. Joseph, Wheeling, WV
| Year Founded: | 1822 |
| Style/architecture: | Romanesque Revival |
| Diocese: | Wheeling-Charleston |
| Floorplan: | Cruciform |
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The cathedral is incredible warm and colorful with rich artwork. I truly enjoyed the various types of crosses in the tiles along the floor of the cathedral as well!
7. Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Denver, CO
| Year Founded, Consecrated: | 1860, 1921 |
| Style/architecture: | Gothic Revival |
| Diocese: | Denver |
| Spire Height: | 221 feet |
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Growing up in the Denver area, this was the first Catholic cathedral I ever remember going to. The bright interior is incredibly uplifting and also makes it hard to fall asleep in case the homily is running long!
6. Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Savannah, GA
| Year Dedicated: | 1876 |
| Style/architecture: | Gothic Revival |
| Diocese: | Savannah |
| Spire Height: | 214 feet |
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As a college student I was able to intern in the Diocese of Savannah's Youth Ministry office and had the great chance to spend a good amount of time in the cathedral there - before it was elevated to a minor basilica. It is also the only cathedral in the US where I've not only been in the choir loft, but also played the violin during Mass!
5. Cathedral of St. Patrick, Harrisburg, PA
| Year of Completion: | 1907 |
| Style/architecture: | Baroque Revival |
| Diocese: | Harrisburg |
| Dome Height: | 170 feet |
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Though I am partial to Gothic style architecture, this one wowed me from the moment I walked in. The outside wasn't particularly stunning, but St. Patrick's in Harrisburg, PA drew my eyes up and toward the altar. Not to mention the checkered floor!
4. Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark, NJ
| Year Consecrated: | 1954 |
| Style/architecture: | French Gothic Revival |
| Diocese: | Newark |
| Length / Height: | 365 feet / 260 feet |
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Gothic architecture? Check.
Stunning spires? Check.
Incredible rose window? Check.
This cathedral basilica was stunning from the moment I drove up to it. The spires kept rising and the closer I walked to it, the more stunned I was. The doorways with seemingly endless saints, the large doors, I just couldn't wait to get in! Let me tell you, the interior did not disappoint. This one was worth spending a good long while wandering and taking in all of the beauty.
3. Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington, KY
| Year Completed: | 1901 |
| Style/architecture: | French Gothic |
| Diocese: | Covington |
| Length / Height: | 194 feet / 81 feet |
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Though I've yet to go to Notre Dame, this Cathedral Basilica was truly incredible. I love the Gothic exterior and saints surrounding the doors. Then my family and I wandered inside before the docent told us that there are over 300 relics behind the altar. Oh, and there's a book with details about the relics and the lives of each saint. This saint-nerd was beyond thrilled!
2. Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, Brooklyn, NY
| Year Completed: | 1912 |
| Style/architecture: | Spanish Colonial |
| Diocese: | Brooklyn |
| Length / Height: | 150 feet / 165 feet |
| Other fun facts: | In 2013 Pope Benedict XVI approved the bishop's request to elevate St. Joseph's to a co-cathedral because the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Brooklyn was too small for diocesan events |
I think that "made my neck hurt in the best way possible" is a requirement for making it in my top 2 cathedrals, and this one definitely fits the bill. Though the co-cathedral is dedicated to Saint Joseph, Our Lady is all over it. In the ceilings above the side aisles are numerous paintings of the various titles and apparitions of Our Lady, each one more stunning than the last. The ceiling above the nave features titles of Mary from the Litany of Loreto, all written in Latin. This is one I would easily go back to and highly recommend!
1. Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, Toledo, OH
| Year Dedicated: | 1940 |
| Style/architecture: | Spanish Plateresque |
| Diocese: | Toledo |
| Length / Width / Height: | 285ft / 215 ft / 96ft |
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Number one for good reason! This, like the Co-Cathedral in Brooklyn, also made my neck hurt, but in the best possible way. There is simply SO much to see, and so many things to look up at that you can't help but get a neck ache! Read more about Amanda's favorite cathedral here.
