Cathedral Basilica of Sacred Heart

Cathedral Basilica of Sacred Heart
89 Ridge Street, Newark, NJ 07104

This is my favorite Gothic Church in the entire U.S. Cathedral Basilica, which was dedicated in 1945 is located in Newark but it can be compared to counterparts in Europe. It seemed like it is slightly smaller than St. Patrick Cathedral in New York City but it was very well maintained and less crowded. A few of my friends are pretty familiar with this church since they came here for priest ordination. I would love to come back here for sunday Mass!

5. St. Vincent de Paul

(St. Therese Little Flower)

St. Vincent de Paul,
123 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011

Since this church is located near my office, I go here for daily Mass sometime. I don't know what to say about this church. It is nicely sized and beautifully proportioned. But this French church needs money and serious renovation. There are yellow tapes at the side aisles (my friend said it was damaged by hurricane, even though I am not hundred percent sure about it), and the colors of the columns are gloomy gray. When the nave of the church does not have windows, I think lighter paint color should be applied to brighten up the space. And the kneelers were painfully uncomfortable. It is too bad that this church is kept in such a bad condition. I love its front facade and the overall layout. This church can be definitely improved!

4. St. Francis of Assisi

 

St.Francis of Assisi

135 W. 31st Street. New York, NY 10001

St. Francis of Assisi is my parish church which is ran by Franciscans friars. I attend Korean Mass at St. Francis of Assisi every sunday and sometimes daily Mass on weekdays. Located near Penn station, St. Francis celebrates nine Masses everyday and confession is available almost throughout the whole day. I love how this parish is always very lively with people and activities.
Even though the architectural language of this church is not my favorite, it is still a nice church. I feel like the colors of this church too bright (almost gaudy) but I like the overall size of the church and proportion of the layout.

The Salesian National Shrine

The Salesian National Shrine
174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, NY 10980

I visited the Salesian National Shrine twice. Once for a retreat and once for a picnic with my Legio group. The retreat house itself was okay...there wasn't anything too special about it. The church...I am sorry to its admirers but it is an aweful building. But I found this little shrine pretty gorgeous. (My friend said she wants to get married in it!) It was not well maintained and it needs a little more care, but this shrine came to me as a nice surprise. Also they had a  nice rosary walk in the forest. Very peaceful and beautiful. When I was walking with my friends, we even found a deer watching us. I recommend this place for a short get-away from the city.

3. St. John the Baptist

St. John the Baptist
210 West 31st Street Between 7th & 8th Ave

I went into church one day after work, on the way to Port Authority. It was a very simple, but nicely designed Gothic church which gave a pleasant feeling. St. John the Baptist(ran by Capuchin Franciscans) is only a few blocks away from St. Francis of Assisi (also staffed by Franciscans) but it is very different in terms of style and decoration. I stepped in during daily Mass but the church was rather full with parishioners celebrating Mass. It always give me a very warm feeling to see an active parish.

2. St. Ignatius Loyola

St. Ignatius Loyola
980 Park Avenue at 84th Street

A few months ago, I had stopped by at this church after my visit to Metropolitan Museum. Because the main chapel was closed (but I could still take a peek at the inside) I had to wait until my official visit. Last Sunday, I came to celebrate Mass at this church. It was breathtakingly beautiful and very well preserved/restored. It was interesting that they had a separate reader/chaplain(?) for young children during the first, second and Gospel reading. The parishioners were extremely friendly too...overall, it was a great church!

1. Our Lady of Pompei Church

Our Lady Of Pompei Church

25 Carmine Street, New York, NY

I finally stopped by at this church during lunch time a few weeks ago. I passed this church so many times when I was in West fourth neighborhood, but had never gone in! This was a very beautiful church with depiction of rosary decades in triforium. The five joyful mysteries were depicted on the left, the five sorrowful on the right and the five glorious in the ceiling.