New Jersey is home to some truly amazing churches, chapels, cathedrals, mosques, and temples, from the Church of the Seven Presidents in Long Branch to the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha Mandir in Robbinsville. Another stunner that's making waves across the country is the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.
The basilica is adjacent to the beautiful Branch Brook Park.
The striking structure is gorgeous from all angles...
Though this is probably the most iconic view.
It is the fifth-largest cathedral in North America and the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.
Construction began on the cathedral in 1899 and it was not finished until 1954.
The chapel was built in the French Gothic Revival Style.
Pope John Paul II visited the basilica in 1995 but there's plenty more that makes it special...
The cathedral is about the same size as Westminster Abbey - about 45,000 square feet. The doors are made of bronze and much of the structure is made of hand-carved wood, stone, and marble. The stained glass windows were imported from Germany, and are considered among the best in the world. In terms of quality, they're second only to the Chartres Cathedral in France. The 36-foot rose window in the main entrance is the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.The structure is designed with horizontal lines drawing the eyes upward, toward heaven. A visit certainly is a heavenly experience. The pipe organ is the largest of its kind in New Jersey and the tabernacle features an alter crafted from Carrara marble and three breathtaking chandeliers crafted with hand-cut crystal.The cathedral has been designated as a National Historic Site and has even been featured on The Sopranos. It is open to the public only for select occasions but mass is held daily. Three times a week, mass is offered in Spanish. For tours of the basilica, you'll need to call (973) 484-4600. If you're interested in music, the acoustics are fantastic and live performances are not uncommon here. We recommend the Candlelight Carol Sing, held each December.
Have you ever been to this beautiful church? Are you familiar with its history?
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