Cathedral and Columbia
St. John the Divine
Entrance to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is my favorite cathedral in the city. It’s Episcopal, so it’s super liberal. It’s a work in progress—the building began in the late 19th century, and only continues when there is funding (and they don’t accept government support). It always has compelling art installations and programs. Unlike any other church I’ve stepped into in my life, I get a positive feeling when I’m in this one.
Cathedral of St John the Divine.
Statues along the entry to St. John the Divine, along with Taurus in the starry sky.
I’m, by no means, a churchgoer. But, the architecture here is eclectic and delightful to gaze upon. There are fascinating parables in the sculptures and stained glass, where many modern motifs are on display. While the godly scale of this building may imply stuffiness, it’s quite the opposite.
Columbia Campus
A shot of Alma Mater, the nourishing mother at the heart of the Columbia campus. A simple shot of the front, with the Roman Revival Low Library in the background, two prominent symbols of the university. And, a shot from behind the statue, with the larger Butler Library in view.
Columbia's Alma Mater
Alma Mater's view on the Columbia University campus.
I like the shot from behind Alma Mater equally. The illuminated Butler Library provides a nice background for the silhouetted statue.