Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine

The Basics

Visit this stunning cathedral to see the largest rose stained-glass window in the country, the tiled dome by Guastavino, and the seven Chapels of the Tongues as well the expansive grounds, which include the Rose Garden and the Biblical Garden. Guided tours include a Highlights Tour and a Vertical Tour, which takes visitors up spiral staircases to the top of the cathedral. St. John the Divine also hosts a variety of popular events throughout the year, including the blessing of the animals and a nighttime reading of Dante’s Inferno.

The cathedral is included in a number of sightseeing tours, including walking and biking tours of Upper Manhattan and Harlem, which often include other area highlights, such as Central Park, Columbia University, and the General Grant National Memorial.

Things to Know Before You Go

• There is an admission fee for sightseeing; those attending a service or seeking a place of prayer or meditation can enter free of charge.

• Occasional maintenance and cleaning work can limit access in the cathedral.

• There is no coat check, and bags are subject to search.

• Photography is not permitted during service, and tripod use requires the permission of church security.

• The ground floor and the chapels are wheelchair accessible; areas covered on certain tours, such as the Vertical Tour, are not.

How to Get There

The cathedral is located in Morningside Heights, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. To reach the catheedral via subway, take the 1 train to 110th Street or the B or C train to Cathedral Parkway. A number of buses also stop nearby, including the M4, M11, and M104.

When to Get There

The cathedral is open daily for service and sightseeing. There are three services Monday–Friday, one on Saturday, and four on Sunday. Sightseeing hours are very limited on Sunday.

Artwork in the Cathedral

The cathedral is home to a number of significant artworks, including the 17th century Barberini and Mortlake tapestries; Keith Haring’s “The Life of Christ” triptych, which is cast in bronze and covered in white gold; Meredith Bergmann’s bronze “Memorial to September 11”; and two rows of Gothic-inspired sculptures carved by British artist Simon Verity.

Ways to explore

It’s free to stop by for prayer and meditation, but to sightsee, you’ll need timed tickets for a self-guided tour. Its extensive grounds are best explored with a guide. Public guided tours are organized by topic, from a vertical tour that climbs its spiral staircases to and gardens and grounds tour.

As one of Upper Manhattan’s most notable landmarks, the cathedral is featured in several sightseeing tours, including walking and biking tours that often incorporate other area highlights, such as Central Park and Columbia University. You can also spot the colossal cathedral on a helicopter tour over Manhattan.

Accessibility

The cathedral is wheelchair accessible, featuring ramps at the entrance, wheelchairs available for rent, and lifts to the visiting levels.

Age limits

There is no age limit to visit the church, but some guided tours are only open to visitors 12 years old and older.

What to pack

Only what you can carry

What to wear

The cathedral doesn’t specify a dress code, although Christian churches typically require clothing that covers the legs and shoulders.

Not allowed

Food and drink, luggage, bulky bags

Amenities

Gift shop, multi-language informational brochures

Address

The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine is located in Morningside Heights, just north of the Upper West Side in Manhattan. You can walk there from Columbia University or the north side of Central Park, while public transportation makes it easy to reach from anywhere else in the city.

Driving

Driving around Manhattan can be stressful, and the cathedral doesn’t have a parking lot. For a more convenient experience, take a taxi or a rideshare app to the church.

Public transportation

To reach the cathedral via subway, take the 1, B, or C train to 110th Street/Cathedral Parkway. Several buses also stop nearby, including the M4, M104, and M11.

Best times to visit

Most tours are offered between 12pm–3pm, so visit midday to experience the church with a guide.

Best days to visit

The cathedral is open daily, but Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays are when it runs the widest variety of tours.

Best months to visit

Visiting the soaring church is a great activity year-round, though it’s particularly nice around Christmas when it offers festive activities.

Special events

The cathedral recognizes St. Francis Day on the first Sunday of October with a music service featuring hundreds of visiting choir members and the annual Blessing of the Animals.