Riverside Church
New York City, NY
Riverside Church offers a slice of 13th-century France standing tall in the Manhattan skyline. Modeled after a massive Gothic cathedral in the French town of Chartres, this 1930 church has a nearly 400-foot bell tower—the tallest in the US—along with impressive stained glass windows and an ornate pulpit that has been graced by speakers including Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Jr.
The basics
Anyone is welcome to worship at Riverside Church, though there are other ways to experience the historic space beyond the vast nave. Join a tower tour to see the church’s 74 bells and a 360-degree view of the city beyond, or catch a performance at the Riverside Theatre. If you’d prefer to simply admire the church’s towering steeple from afar, do so from a Hudson River cruise or an Upper West Side sightseeing tour.
Things to know before you go
- Riverside Church is interdenominational and welcomes all visitors.
- There is no dress code to visit the church.
- The nave is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, but the tower tour requires climbing 145 narrow, winding steps.
- Just north of the church, Sakura Park is the best spot to listen to the Sunday afternoon bell recital.
How to get there
Riverside Church sits between the Upper West Side and Harlem in Morningside Heights. The closest subway station is 116th Street - Columbia University, which is served by the 1 train from Lower Manhattan. Alternatively, you can take buses M104, M4, or M5 to stops at 120th or 122nd Street.
When to get there
The church’s visiting hours are Thursday to Sunday, excluding major holidays, typically from 9am–5pm. Sunday worship usually starts at 11am, while tower tours are available at select times from Wednesdays to Sundays. Check the church’s calendar to learn about special events, which range from Bible study to orchestra performances.
In the neighborhood
On a nice day, Morningside Heights makes for a fantastic walk among green spaces and architectural gems. The church is sandwiched between two beloved parks—Riverside Park and Morningside Park—with winding paths and beautiful views, while the neighboring Sakura Park has 2,000 cherry trees that blossom every spring. Pass by the colossal Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, then check out Columbia University's sprawling lawns and stately halls.
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