West Side Rag
  • TOP NEWS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT US
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT
West Side Rag
No Result
View All Result
SUPPORT THE RAG

Search the site

No Result
View All Result
Get WSR FREE in your inbox
SUPPORT THE RAG

Cathedral of St. John the Divine Wants to Add Copper Roof

March 28, 2019 | 7:07 AM
in HISTORY, NEWS
6

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine at 114th and Amsterdam is apparently having problems with water damage to its granite roof, and its solution is to add a copper roof to its dome.

The proposal was set to have a hearing at the Landmarks Preservation Commission earlier this week, according to NY YIMBY. The original roof, built in 1909, was meant to be temporary, according to YIMBY. The cathedral is famously unfinished.

The cathedral received landmarks protection in 2017.


Current roof.


Proposed roof.

Share this article:
SUPPORT THE RAG
guest

guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

6 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Sherman
Sherman
6 years ago

It’s a beautiful building and I’m glad it will get some sprucing up.

The church is gigantic. I’ve often wondered if it has enough active participants to support such a big complex.

0
Reply
AC
AC
6 years ago

This Church is a landmark in the UWS and the commission should work on helping the community preserve it.

Cooper is a good choice and practical for this kind of roof. I worked on waterproofing back in the 1990’s. If you want your architecture to stand the test of time and make an impact, copper, brass, and bronze are all highly corrosion resistant, weather resistant, and durable. SS (Stainless Steel) would be an excellent choice too, but the cost would be make it unreasonable.

Good Luck!

0
Reply
Moo Vee Buff
Moo Vee Buff
6 years ago

Well, let us hope they avoid using ‘Dirty Copper’, like in the old gangster (NOT “gangsta”) movies.

4 Example:
“That mug’s been walkin’ up-and-down outside of here for the past five minutes. Looks like a COPPER to me.” AND
“He couldn’t be a COPPER, his feet aren’t flat enough.”
—Jimmy Cagney in 1933 “Lady Killer”

(thanks 2 Internet Movie Data Base)

0
Reply
jezbel
jezbel
6 years ago

A copper roof for the dome (or any other part of the roof) would be beautiful and they last forever. Watching it slowly weather and begin to turn vert da gris over time is a wonderful thing and the colors are gorgeous. Hoping they move ahead with the project.

0
Reply
NYRag lover
NYRag lover
6 years ago

I just took a ‘vertical tour’ at the cathedral this week. While a bit pricey at $18,found it by accident on their website. Very poorly attended ( only 3 of us!) it was fabulous walking to the roof with its views of the skyline. You do see the damage caused by the water when you get above the rafters inside. A new roof would be a win /win esthetically and practically.

0
Reply
Peter Brandt
Peter Brandt
6 years ago

I agree to a new covering of the roof, Landmarks be overruled ! They always have to justify their existance but lets make some realistic sense to save the Cathedral. The last thing the owners want is to deface the Cathedral.

0
Reply

YOU MIGHT LIKE...

Plenty of Pride to Go Around on the Upper West Side
COLUMNS

Plenty of Pride to Go Around on the Upper West Side

June 21, 2025 | 6:29 AM
20-Year-Old Dies After Stabbing On Broadway; Two Teens Arrested
NEWS

Bicyclist Killed in Central Park After Collision With Pedestrian

June 20, 2025 | 5:33 PM - Updated on June 21, 2025 | 9:35 AM
Previous Post

The Answer Column: It’s Been Closed for Two Years, So Why Is Artie’s Still Clogging Our Arteries?

Next Post

Springtime PSA: How to Be a Helpful WSR Commenter and Support Our Site

this week's events image
Next Post
Springtime PSA:  How to Be a Helpful WSR Commenter and Support Our Site

Springtime PSA: How to Be a Helpful WSR Commenter and Support Our Site

Residents Question Details of Congestion Pricing As New Tolls Gain Steam in Albany

Residents Question Details of Congestion Pricing As New Tolls Gain Steam in Albany

Throwback Thursday: Bench-Warmers

Throwback Thursday: Bench-Warmers

  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • NEWSLETTER
  • WSR MERCH!
  • ADVERTISE
  • EVENTS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • SITE MAP
Site design by RLDGROUP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • TOP NEWS
  • THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT US
  • WSR SHOP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.