(Long Island, NY) Since its doors first opened in 1879, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the largest Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States, has served as a symbol of hope, faith and freedom for New York’s parishioners, community members and travelers from around the globe. Overlooking Fifth Avenue, the neo-Gothic building has enduredwhile the surrounding urban environment has changed.
As the world awaits Pope Francis’ highly-anticipated September visit to New York, Treasures of New York: St. Patrick’s Cathedral – premiering on Tuesday, August 18 at 7 p.m. on WLIW21 and Tuesday, August 25 at 8 p.m. on THIRTEEN – takes viewers through the cathedral’s rich history as a center of Catholic life in New York City, showcases its recent $175 million restoration, and examines architectural features that have made it a celebrated New York City treasure and a National Historic Landmark.
The new film also highlights the efforts to preserve this historic treasure, examining the massive, recently completed restoration that included a new roof, repairs to the building’s stone façade and restoration of its stained glass windows. The project, which was initiated in 2007, marks the most extensive and expensive restoration in the cathedral’s history.
Treasures of New York: St. Patrick’s Cathedral features interviews with members of the cathedral’s staff, includingHis Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, the Archbishop of the Diocese New York;Monsignor Robert Ritchie, the rector; Dr. Jennifer Pascual, director of music and Daniel Brondel, associate director of music and organist. The film also features writers Peter Quinn and Turlough McConnell, as well asseveral of the key preservationists and architects involved with the restoration, including Raymond Pepi, president at Building Conservation Associates; Michele Boyd, associate at Building Conservation Associates; Jean Parker Phifer, associate at Thomas Phifer and Partners; Christopher Botti, president at Botti Studio of Architectural Art; Jeffrey Murphy AIA, founding partner at Murphy Burnham &Buttrick Architects; and John Peragallo IV and John Paragallo III of the family run Peragallo Organ Company.
After the initial broadcast, the full episode will be available for online streaming at thirteen.org/treasures. The Treasures of New York website also offers past episodes about some of New York’s greatest institutions.
Treasures of New York: St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a production of WLIW LLC in association with WNET. WNET is the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21, New York’s public television stations and operator of NJTV.
Mary Lockhart is executive producer and writer. Saskia Chanoine is associate producer. Kaitlyn Leidl is researcher. Diane Masciale is general manager of WLIW21 and executive producer of local production, including the Treasures of New York series.
Major support for Treasures of New York: St. Patrick’s Cathedral has been provided by the Metropolitan Media Fund.
About WNET
As New York’s flagship public media provider and the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, WNET brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to more than 5 million viewers each week. WNET produces and presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, Great Performances,American Masters, PBS NewsHour Weekend, Charlie Rose and a range of documentaries, children’s programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Oh Noah! and Cyberchaseand provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state’s unique culture and diverse communities through NYC-ARTS, Reel 13, NJTV News with Mary Alice Williams and MetroFocus, the multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region. WNET is also a leader in connecting with viewers on emerging platforms, including the THIRTEEN Explore App where users can stream PBS content for free.
