"Cathedral of St. Joseph"

Brooklyn, New York architect Patrick Keely was hired to design the cathedral.  The Gothic Revival structure was cruciform in shape and its exterior was clad in Portland rough brownstone.  A fire destroyed the cathedral on December 31, 1956. Structural engineers determined that the building could not be salvaged and the site was cleared.

The New York City architectural firm of Eggers & Higgins was chosen to design the present cathedral.  The cathedral was designed using an International style interpretation of the Gothic style, and maintained the verticality of the old cathedral.  The structure is composed of reinforced concrete covered with smooth light gray coursed limestone. A large frieze over the main entrance features the church's patron, Saint Joseph. The tall bronze doors weigh five and a half tons and are covered with biblical scenes. The cathedral rises to a height of 284 feet. The blocks of stone used in the tall spire contrasts with the smooth stone of the walls. The blocks are cut in a pattern of voids that causes a constant play of light and shadow. The bell chamber contains 12 bells cast in the Netherlands by Petit & Fritsen. They range in weight from 225 pounds up to 3,850 pounds. 

The interior of the cathedral is noted for its large expanse of spectacular stained glass windows crafted in Paris. They are reminiscent of those found in Paris' Sainte-Chapelle. Each panel is roughly 70 by 14 feet  and they are 1 inch thick. The ceramic tile mural behind the altar depicting "Christ in Glory" is the largest in the world. The narthex is separated from the main nave by a wall of glass etched by Giovanni Hajnal. It depicts the Kingdom of Christ both on earth and in heaven. The capacity of the cathedral is about 1,750 people not including the two side chapels.

There are two main chapels on the side of the church. One contains a tabernacle and altar. It contains a mural of Jesus and his disciples. The chapel on the left has a mural depicting the Holy Family and contains the baptismal font. Other small chapels are made of mosaic and contain kneelers for visitors.