St Patrick's Old Cathedral

Though St Patrick’s Cathedral is now famously located on Fifth Ave in Midtown, its first congregation was housed here, in the neighborhood now called Nolita, in this 1809–15 Gothic Revival church designed by Joseph-François Mangin. Its soaring inner vault stands at 85ft, and the ornate interior features a marble altar and gold-leaf detailing. Back in its heyday, the church was the seat of religious life for the Archdiocese of New York, as well as an important community center for new immigrants, mainly from Ireland. Today it holds regular liturgies in English, Spanish and Chinese. Its ancient cemetery out the back is a beautiful respite in the midst of city chaos; if it’s not open when you pass by, sneak a peek through the thick, padlocked gate.