Sacred Sites Open House (May 19)

Medieval to Modern: Celebrating New York’s Religious Art and Architecture

This year’s Sacred Sites Open House takes place on the weekend of May 19 with the theme, Medieval to Modern: Celebrating New York’s Religious Art and Architecture, highlighting the broad spectrum of historical periods, faith traditions, and styles of religious architecture found in communities throughout New York State. Participating congregations will showcase their buildings and histories via lectures, musical performances, and special guided tours as well as highlight other cultural and social service programs offered throughout the year.

Over 150 churches, synagogues, and meeting houses will be open state-wide.  Special, pre-booked tours are being offered around the city and state, representing distinct architectural periods, from prototypical to innovative and unique, including church and wonder theater United Palace of Spiritual Arts (Washington Heights, Manhattan); modern landmarks Saint Peter’s Church (midtown Manhattan) and Temple Beth Zion (Buffalo); medieval Dutch influenced Flushing Friends Meetinghouse (Queens) and a Discover Queens! tour highlighting religious architecture in Flushing hosted by the Queens Historical Society.  Rutgers Presbyterian Church is hosting an architecture-themed scavenger hunt featuring multiple religious landmarks (Upper West Side, Manhattan), and FRIENDS of the Upper East Side Historic Districts is hosting a walking tour: Divine Design: Religious Architecture and Community in Yorkville.

Save the date: May 13th, 6 – 8 pm for our Sacred Sites Open House Kick-Off Celebration at Saint Peter’s Church (midtown Manhattan).  This open house preview will feature an illustrated lecture, reception, and tours of Louise Nevelson’s newly restored Chapel of the Good Shepherd, a unique, comprehensive sculptural environment.

Like to take photos?  Great!  We hope you will share some of your favorites with us by participating in our annual Sacred Sites Open House Photo Contest.

For more information, visit Sacred Sites Open House.