You Won't Believe This Incredible Cathedral Is Actually In Connecticut
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Taylor Ellis
Author
You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars traveling to Europe to see a cathedral. If visiting one of those stone wonders is on your bucket list, you’ll be pleased to know there’s one right here in Connecticut! Its unique design and modern conception are sure to leave you impressed. These photos will give you a preview, but nothing compares to how small you feel when you’re standing there, looking up at this masterpiece!
Not far from Mark Twain's home is this stone beauty, which looks nothing like the original that once stood in its place. The original church was completed in 1892, but the wooden ceiling caught fire on New Year's of 1956, bringing an end to the classic style.
The original church's twin towers were replaced with one tower, reaching high into the sky. Designed by Eggers & Higgins, the same group that built the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington DC, the cathedral was bound to be large and revolutionary. At 281 feet high, it looks even bigger in person!
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But it's also incredibly detailed, despite its size. Every inch of this building was treated with care, starting with the limestone sculpture of Saint Joseph surrounded by people just above the cathedral's doors.
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Inside, one will find the largest ceramic tile mural in the world just behind the grandiose altar, and beautiful floors. The organ here has also attracted many players, as the music room is recording quality and echoes beautifully. The bonus of attending a service is its very traditional practices. You'll end up feeling like you're at the Basilica in Rome after all!
But what catches most people's attention is the collection of stained glass windows that run almost the entire length of the cathedral. The windows appear almost neon in their bright use of color, vibrantly depicting classic scenes from the bible. Each one is nearly 70 feet in height!
So whether you're coming to pray, or just to see it for yourself, Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford will have you mesmerized. Its modern approach is unlike many cathedral in the United States, and is definitely one-of-a-kind!
So get over there! And don't forget to look up! The lighted ceiling features large stars and appears dome shaped, even though it isn't. Between the sunshine streaming in the windows and the glowing roof, you will feel flooded with light!
If you thought this cathedral was beautiful, check out Orchard Union Chapel for a look at one of Connecticut’s most picturesque buildings!
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