Which architect designed St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, dedicated in 1879?

James Renwick Jr. designed St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, dedicated in 1879.

Renwick won the commission for the Roman Catholic cathedral in 1858. He designed a monumental Gothic Revival church with twin spires, white marble facing, and a cruciform plan. Construction began in 1858 but was interrupted by the American Civil War, delaying progress on the building.

The cathedral opened for use in 1879, although some work continued afterward. Its spires rise about 330 feet, making it a striking presence among the skyscrapers of Midtown Manhattan. It occupies the full city block between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue, opposite Rockefeller Center.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of New York. It should not be confused with the older Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Lower Manhattan, now commonly called the Basilica of Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral, which was designed by Joseph-François Mangin.