This week in Christian history: Pope Pius IX flees Rome; St. John the Divine consecrated
St. John the Divine Cathedral consecrated – Nov. 30, 1941
This week marks the anniversary of when the Cathedral of St. John the Divine of New York City, one of the largest church buildings in the world, was officially consecrated.
The seat of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, construction on the sanctuary began in 1892. While the main construction was completed in 1941, the church technically remains unfinished.
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“As the U.S.A. entered WWII, the work on the Cathedral came to a halt. After the war, it seemed like the Cathedral would finally be finished,” explained City Beautiful Tours in a 2022 blog.
“In reality, the work didn’t resume until 1982, when the south tower rose to about 50 feet. The north one didn’t get a chance since the work stopped again in the early 1990s.”
“Perhaps its unfinished form connects it to its historical roots and gives it the element of humanity – ambitious, faulty, evolving, and functioning despite never reaching its final goal.”
