Add your name to a guestbook that includes Pope John Paul II when you visit this stunning Gothic cathedral in the heart of Newark.
It may come as a surprise that one of the most stunning examples of French Gothic architecture in the United States, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, lies in downtown Newark. Admire the intricately sculpted façade, wood-paneled interior and other fine features when you visit this exceptional Roman Catholic place of worship.
Stand before the ornate façade of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and you will see why Bishop Bernard McQuaid called the building a “fitting monument to the faith” at the laying of its cornerstone in 1899. Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley commissioned the structure in 1856 and the cathedral took over half a century to complete. The result is one of the most spectacular cathedrals anywhere in the country.
You will see the twin towers and pointed spire of the cathedral long before you reach it, but it is only when you get up close that you can appreciate the sheer size of the building. The two towers that flank the entrance stand 323 feet (98 meters) high. The building encompasses 45,000 square feet (4180 square meters) and is the fifth-largest cathedral in the United States.
The best way to enjoy the cathedral is to attend one of the free services. Join the locals who crowd into the cathedral’s wide interior and listen to the choir accompanied by the huge organ.
Visit when the cathedral is empty and enjoy the sense of peace that the huge, airy interior creates. Light streams in through the stained glass windows, reflecting off the silver-and-bronze chandeliers. Admire the stylish wood paneling and locally sourced marble set into the walls.
The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is located in the Lower Broadway area of Newark, adjacent to the Branch Brook Park. Several bus routes and the subway stop nearby. It is open daily and free to enter. Ask the cathedral’s staff for service information.