Each religion has a different house of worship. We, the community as a whole, put great emphasis on the places where we practice our respective beliefs. These places of worship could be small, plain, great or simply exquisite. All such sites are a gateway for the mortal to connect with the Divine.
In most religions, praying, preaching, teaching, charity and singing hymns are all a part of worshipping and a common ground for these can be found in different places of worship such as churches, temples, mosques, synagogues and monasteries.
Here are some of the most beautiful houses of worship in America. Grab some low-cost airline tickets and check out these wonderful sites.
Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C.
The Episcopal Diocese of Washington and the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, commonly referred to as Washington National Cathedral is an English neo-gothic architectural wonder. Its central tower stands high at about 675 feet above sea level and is the highest spot in the city. It is the second-largest cathedral in the United States and one of the largest in the world. This splendid structure has more than 60 bells, over 100 gargoyles and about 200 magnificent stained glass windows.
Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City
Salt Lake Temple is cited as the largest and the most brilliant temple of all the temples constructed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Dedicated in April 1893, the construction of this religious site spanned across 40 years. It is the directive headquarters of the church and has an entire floor housing the workplaces of the administrators of the church.
The Islamic Center of America, Dearborn, Michigan
The Islamic Center of America is the oldest Shia Mosque in US and the largest mosque in North America. This gorgeous religious site houses a library, community center, auditorium and several administrative offices. Spread across an area of 120,000 square foot, it is also the largest cultural and Arab-American site in the country.
St. John's Cathedral, Spokane
Hop on a cheap flight to Spokane and head to one of the finest examples of Gothic architectural marvels in the United States. Located on the 12th Avenue, St. John's Cathedral is regarded as one of the most stunning cathedrals in the state of Washington.
Take in the lovely ribbed vaults and pointed arches outside the cathedral and savor the fullest of the architectural grandeur inside the cathedral. Guided tours are also available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Score some cheap airline tickets to Spokane and explore this marvelous religious site.
St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City
Book a low-cost flight to New York City and check out this spectacular neo-gothic Roman Catholic cathedral that is officially named as The Cathedral of St. Patrick. This parish church is the headquarters to the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. Construction of the cathedral was completed in 1878 and was crafted by many notable artisans.
The cathedral at a time can accommodate over 2,000 patrons. St. Patrick’s Cathedral and associated buildings were declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976.
Victor Martin is a Freelance Travel Writer.