Divine New York (Inside the Historic Churches and Synagogues of Manhattan)

For the past fifteen years, Michael L. Horowitz has been photographing the interiors of Manhattan’s historic churches and synagogues. Though their exteriors are often unassuming and overlooked by passersby, their interiors are spectacular, uplifting worshippers and architectural devotees alike. In this book, Horowitz takes us from Lower to Upper Manhattan, from the colorful wall paintings of Bialystocker Synagogue, to the jewel-like stained glass windows of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, to the awe-inspiring wooden ceiling of the Holy Name of Jesus and Saint Gregory the Great Parish. A lively and informative text by Elizabeth Anne Hartman tells the stories behind each of the seventy-five houses of worship featured. These sacred edifices reflect the hopes and aspirations of the many different communities that helped build the metropolis, expressed in numerous architectural and artistic styles. And many of these interiors bear the imprint of notable personalities in Big Apple history, from Clement Moore of “The Night before Christmas” to pioneering Black philanthropist Pierre Toussaint. This handsome volume, nourishing to the eyes and soul, offers a new perspective on the city to New York residents and visitors alike.