Roosevelt Island Historical Society

Jan

Tuesday, January 23, 2024 – THE CATHEDRAL IS A TREASURE TROVE OF HISTORY

By admin

FROM THE ARCHIVES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024

INSIDE THE CRYPT

AT THE

CATHEDRAL OF

ST. JOHN THE DEVINE

ISSUE# 1168

JUDITH BERDY

NEW COPPER DOME RECENTLY COMPLETED
PHOTO: DEMIAN NEWFELD

THE ALTAR AND NAVE OF THE CATHEDRAL.

Divine Pathways is a stunning, site-specific textile installation created by artist Anne Patterson for the vaulted Nave of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

Divine Pathways was created in concert with communities and organizations from across the Morningside Heights neighborhood, New York City, and the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Community members were invited to write their hopes, dreams, and prayers onto the ribbons that make up the piece. Individual prayers are anonymous and beyond the viewer’s sight, but their collective presence creates an experience that is both intimate and immense.

Join us for an experience that celebrates the collaborative process and community itself.(Cathedral press)

GUASTAVINO TILE STAIRCASE LEADING DOWN TO THE CRYPT

THE CRYPT LEVEL IS MASSIVE UNDER THE SEVEN CHAPEL ABOVE

THREE FORMER BISHOPS ARE INTERRED IN THE CRYPT, WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY A CHAPEL.

HOW THE LAMPS LOOKED IN THE OLD PENN STATION

Comparing photos of the torchiers now to photos of them in the station, you’ll notice some differences. The torchiers were originally topped with eight globe lights and stood on tall stone bases within the grand waiting room which had a classical Roman design. To better fit the Gothic aesthetic of the Cathedral, the heads were changed and pared down to just three lights. Instead of globes, they are now topped with hexagonal lanterns adorned with tiny spires.

THE LAMPS ARE SAFELY STORED NOW AND REMOVED FROM THE POLES.

IT IS A SUBTERRANEAN ATTIC

ALL TYPES OF CHURCH FURNISHINGS ARE STORED HERE

IN THE 1980’S ATTEMPTS TO ADD TO THE SOUTH TOWER BROUGHT MORE STONECUTTERS HERE AND THE PROJECT STOPPED AFTER A FEW YEARS. SOME NEWLY CARVED PIECES ARE
STORED FOR AN EVENTUAL CONTINUATION.

THREE SAINST SEEKING A HOME.

THE ANGELIC KNIGHT IS UPSTAIR IN THE RELICS ROOM IN THE MAIN SANCTUARY

I TOOK THIS TOUR SPONSORED BY UNTAPPED NEW YORK. IT WAS A FUN HOUR EXPLORING THE HISTORY OF THE CATHEDRAL. IT WAS A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A SUB-FREEZING AFTERNOON.

TAKE A LOOK OF WHAT EXISTED ON THE ISLAND IN 1936

WEEKEND PHOTO

F. W. I. L. Lundy Brothers restaurant in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn.h, how my parents LOVED that place. It was still going strong
all through the 1960’s when only one brother was active in the
business. Strictly fresh seafood, clams and oysters on the half-shell,
almost nothing on the menu for “landlubbers” – and absolutely HUGE.
The photograph either doesn’t show the whole building or the
extensions (built 1939?) were not yet added. The din inside that
music hall-sized structure at dinner time was incredible. In all the years
I was taken there (1956 – 1973), I never knew it to be anything but
jammed.

Guy Ludwig
R.I. and Warren, VT

CREDITS