• Posted byby Elle-Rose
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If you’ve been searching for the most beautiful churches in NYC to visit, or explore, hopefully this list will help.

There are so many beautiful churches in NYC, and I think they’re always some of the most scenic buildings in the city.

If you’ve been searching for the most memorable, recognizable or wonderful New York City churches, well, you’ve come to the right place!

The many churches in NYC have interesting history and boast some seriously impressive architecture too.

And remember – you don’t need to be religious to appreciate these amazing buildings. Some of the most stunning buildings in the city, just happen to be churches.

From Byzantine buildings to Neo-Gothic wonders, these churches in NYC will absolutely blow you away.

Now let’s get exploring!

A helpful map of all the churches featured below

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

First up on my list of the top churches in NYC is St. Patrick’s Cathedral!

This incredible structure is perched proudly in Midtown Manhattan and is just steps away from the famous Rockefeller Center.

As it’s so central, this is one church in the city that boasts visitation numbers of over 5 million every single year!

The exterior is gorgeous, but it’s the stained-glass panels and the iconic Rose window that take the cake on the aesthetics front.

And hey, the façade wouldn’t look out of place next to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris – it’s that beautiful!

Saint Thomas Church

Next up on my bumper list of the top churches in NYC, I have Saint Thomas Church!

This is extremely close to the uber-famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral, but this one tends to be far less busy.

It opened its doors in 1914 and is renowned for its intricate Gothic architecture, large arch entryway, and detailed windows, which makes it one of the most wonderful churches in NYC.

Its limestone exterior gives it a classic white appearance that complements the stained-glass window at the front perfectly.

It’s the interior that makes it magical. It’s made from sandstone and boasts stunning stonework, symmetrical arches, and high ceilings that make it look utterly majestic.

Marble Collegiate Church

If you’re on the hunt for the top churches in NYC, you need to stop by the Marble Collegiate Church.

This large church was once called Fifth Avenue Church and it dates back to the 1800s. This makes it one of the oldest churches in New York too.

You can spend at least an hour marveling at its Romanesque Revival architecture and admiring its large tower.

It’s not as large as other top churches in the city as it only has a capacity of 900, but it’s just as magnificent as other central churches.

While you’re here, keep an eye out for the beautiful red walls, pews, and stained-glass windows designed in the Tiffany style.

Cathedral of St. John the Divine

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is one of the most unique churches in NYC as it combines several architectural styles.

It was originally designed in the Byzantine and Romanesque styles, but it quickly shifted focus to become a Gothic-inspired church.

Despite being conceptualized way back in the 19th century, the cathedral is still technically unfinished because of delays to its construction over the years.

Yep, that includes a fire at the turn of the 21st century!

With an impressive capacity of 2,500 and a collection of amazing sculptures, this one of the most impressive churches in NYC.

Trinity Church Wall Street

Next on my list of the best churches in NYC, it’s an addition in the Downtown area of the city.

If you’d like to walk in the footsteps of Wall Street’s finest while getting an ecclesiastical education, head to Trinity Church. It’s definitely one of the most recognizable churches in the city.

It’s designed in a neo-Gothic style and is home to 23 large bells that often ring out over the city.

This Wall Street gem is also incredibly central and is regarded for its pointed arches and large spired tower that reaches 281 feet.

Believe it or not, this was once NYC’s tallest building before the Empire State was completed!

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The Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral

This is one of the churches in NYC that’s often confused with St. Patrick’s – but it’s an entirely different beast!

The Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral was built over 200 years ago and is located in modern-day Chinatown.

Although this is among the churches in the city that were originally demoted to a parish when St. Patrick’s opened, it gained basilica status in 2012.

You can thank Pop Benedict XVI for that!

The exterior isn’t quite as grand as other churches nearby, but the gorgeous catacombs (that are candlelit!) make it worth visiting.

If you’d like help navigating the church, there’s a guided tour that runs through the building’s history and hidden rooms.

Grace Church

Grace Church is another one of the oldest churches in NYC and first burst onto the scene in 1846.

It was designed by the same genius that was responsible for St. Patrick’s Cathedral (James Renwick!), which explains its incredible beauty.

And that 230-foot spire? Breathtaking! It makes this one of the most stunning churches on this list.

The building’s pews are open to all, and you might even be lucky enough to catch the organ being played.

Plus, you can’t beat the gorgeous stained-glass windows, candle chandeliers, and high ceilings that characterize the interior.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

If you’ve been on the lookout for the top churches in NYC, you don’t want to miss Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

This place is regarded for its vibrant red doors and Rose windows, but its Gothic Revival Architecture is nothing to scoff at either!

Like many of the top churches in the city, this place is a glimpse into the past that’s juxtaposed by Modern Manhattan buildings.

And that’s what makes it so special!

From its beautiful brick façade to its signature spires, this is one of the churches in New York City that’s worth a few minutes of anyone’s time.

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St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church

Have you been on the hunt for the oldest churches in NYC? If so, you need to head down to St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church.

This spot is tucked away in the Financial District and was founded way back in 1785.

That officially makes it one of the oldest churches in the entire New York State! Definitely a reason to add this place to your list of churches in NYC to check out.

You’ll notice details from Greek Revival Architecture on the façade, but you should also try and find the Catholic 9/11 memorial here.

It’s quite somber, but this church was a crucial point for first responders attending the World Trade Center on that fateful day.

If nothing else, this provides a serene setting to escape from Manhattan’s hustle and bustle.

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Riverside Church

Riverside Church is one of the top churches in NYC to visit if you want to see an incredible bell tower.

This place boasts a 21-story bell tower (seriously!) and it makes the entire structure look ornate and impressive.

Although it’s not quite as centrally placed (it’s nearer uptown), it’s still worth a look if you have time.

And hey, its location means that you’ll get plenty more peace and quiet than those central Manhattan spots!

Oh, and don’t forget to see the incredible 7,855-pipe organ that’s tucked inside and its ornate stone entryway. A beautiful reason to visit this church in NYC.

The Church of Saint Francis Xavier

Next on my list of the top churches in NYC, we have the Church of Saint Francis Xavier!

This church was founded back in 1851 and can be found in the popular Flatiron District (so, it’s relatively central!).

Parts of the original structure still stand, but much of it had to be rebuilt after a major fire in 1878.

It’s no secret that its stunning arches and pillars are part of what makes this one of the most popular places of worship in the city.

But you don’t want to miss the crown moldings, paintings, and high ceilings that make the interior truly gorgeous.

St. Jean Baptiste Roman Catholic Church

Next, it’s St. Jean Baptiste Roman Catholic Church.

This church can be found in the Lenox Hills neighborhood on the Upper East Side and it’s amazing.

Not only is it more tranquil than other churches in NYC, but it went through a relatively recent renovation in 1995.

So, you can see its historical architecture in all its freshened glory!

It’s a relatively standard Roman Catholic Church (expect a lavish interior!), but the pillars on the outside are an impressive feature too.

While you’re inside, make sure you snap a few pictures of the ornate painted ceiling and the gold details at the altar.

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St. Bartholomew’s Church

We couldn’t write a list of the best churches in NYC without mentioning St. Bartholomew’s Church!

Hidden in the Upper East Side, this interesting-looking church is regarded for its unique arches and domes.

It looks very old compared to the surrounding skyscrapers and it’s an awesome escape from NYC’s metropolitan buzz.

As it’s right in the center of Midtown, it’s easy to stop by after visiting one of the area’s many glorious restaurants!

St. Paul’s Chapel

If you want an incredible shot of an old-school church standing against the New York skyline, St. Paul’s Chapel has got you covered.

This is one of the oldest churches in NYC (established in 1766!), and it’s still as stunning as it was hundreds of years ago.

This is another of the churches in NYC that was used as a relief base for 9/11, and you won’t want to miss its impressive pillars and stellar brickwork.

Bialystoker Synagogue

To round off my list, we have the Bialystoker Synagogue!

Unlike the other churches in NYC that are on my list, this is a popular place for Jewish worship in the city (with an interesting history!).

It has been a popular place for Polish Jews to worship since 1905 and is said to have once been a place for hiding runaway slaves, so the history here is super meaningful and important.

Although it’s not quite as beautiful on the outside as other churches int he city, the interior is simply incredible, and its historical significance is absolutely worth exploring and learning more about.

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Hopefully this list of the most beautiful and wonderful places of worship has given you inspiration of where to visit!

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