In Which We Go Gothic in Newark

In Newark, New Jersey, you will find a beautiful example of Gothic style architecture -- the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

I visited this place only a couple of weeks ago. They were holding a special military event at the time, so I was unable to venture inside, but even the exterior of this building is impressively beautiful.

This is the fifth largest cathedral in North America. The basilica took over 50 years to build and changed in its original design from an English/Irish Gothic style to more of a French Gothic Revival. This shortened the towers and eliminated the spires that were originally intended to top the towers.

In 1995, Pope John Paul II celebrated evening prayer at this cathedral during a tour of the United States. It was at that time that the cathedral was elevated to a minor basilica, making at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

I will definitely have to consider revisiting one of these days in order to capture some of the interior, but seeing churches like this will always bring me joy.