20 Most Beautiful and Awe-Inspiring Churches and Cathedrals in the United States

While many people think of Europe for stunning cathedrals and other magnificent architecture, the U.S. also has its fair share of remarkable places of worship. From Neo-Gothic with towering spires in the heart of the city to Spanish colonial architecture in the middle of the desert, America has much diversity. Check out these picks for the 20 most beautiful and awe-inspiring churches and cathedrals in the United States and learn about their locations and architectural styles. 

1. Washington National Cathedral – Washington, D.C.

Location: Northwest Washington, D.C.

Year built: 1906

Practicing Faith: Episcopal

Architectural style: Neo-Gothic modeled from the late 15th century English Gothic

Interesting Fact: It is the second-largest church building in the United States

Can you visit? Yes

2. St. Patrick’s Cathedral – New York City

Location: Manhattan, New York City

Year built: 1878

Practicing faith: Catholic

Architectural style: Decorated Gothic Revival designed by James Renwick Jr.

Interesting fact: Construction began in 1858 but was halted due to the American Civil War

Can you visit? Yes

3. Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis – St. Louis, Missouri

Location: Central West End, St. Louis, Missouri

Year built: 1914

Practicing faith: Roman Catholic

Architectural style: Neo-Byzantine Romanesque Revival

Interesting fact: While mass began in 1914, the cathedral and its intricate mosaics were not officially completed until 1988.

Can you visit? Yes

4. St. Louis Cathedral – New Orleans, Louisiana

Location: Historic French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana

Year built: 1850

Practicing faith: Roman Catholic

Architectural style: Renaissance, Gothic Revival, Spanish Colonial

Interesting fact: Three churches have stood on the site, with the original first built in 1718. But burnt down and rebuilt.

Can you visit? Yes

5. St. Mary’s Catholic Church – Schulenburg, Texas

Location: High Hill, Schulenburg, Texas

Year built: 1906

Practicing faith: Catholic

Architectural style: Red brick Gothic Revival designed by Leo M.J. Dielmann

Interesting fact: The wallpaper-like designs in the church were drawn freehand by Ferdinand Stockert and Hermann Kern

Can you visit? Yes

6. Cathedral of St. John the Baptist – Savannah, Georgia

Location: Lafayette Square, Savannah, Georgia

Year built: 1873

Practicing faith: Roman Catholic

Architectural style: French Neo-Gothic designed by Ephraim Francis Baldwin

Interesting fact: In 2020, Pope Francis elevated the church to a minor basilica.

Can you visit? Yes

7. Wayfarers Chapel – Racho Palos Verdes – California

Location: A cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Rancho Palos Verdes, California

Year built: 1951

Practicing faith: Swedenborgian/Christian sect

Architectural style: Organic modern ecclesiastical/postwar designed by Lloyd Wright

Interesting fact: Due to its location and unique glass chapel, it is a popular spot for weddings and filming TV shows

Can you visit? Yes

8. Memorial Presbyterian Church – St. Augustine, Florida

Location: St. Augustine, Florida

Year built: 1890

Practicing faith: Presbyterian

Architectural style: Venetian Renaissance inspired by St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice

Interesting fact: Industrialist Henry Flagler constructed the church and dedicated it to his infant daughter, who died during childbirth.

Can you visit? Yes

9. Saint Mary of the Angels Catholic Church – Chicago, Illinois

Location: Bucktown, Chicago, Illinois

Year built: 1920

Practicing faith: Roman Catholic

Architectural style: Polish/Roman Renaissance inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome

Interesting fact: It is one of the best examples of Roman Renaissance architecture in the United States

Can you visit? Yes

10. Byodo-In Temple – O’ahu, Hawaii

Location: Kahaluu, O’ahu, Hawaii

Year built: 1968

Practicing faith: Non-denominational Buddhist

Architectural style: Japanese Zenshuyo – a replica of a 900-year-old temple in Kyoto Prefecture 

Interesting fact: The temple welcomes people of all faiths and is a popular site for weddings and other events

Can you visit? Yes

11. St. Philips Church – Charleston, South Carolina

Location: French Quarter, Charleston, South Carolina

Year built: 1836

Practicing faith: Anglican Diocese

Architectural style: Wren-Gibbs tradition/stuccoed brick designed by Joseph Hyde and Edward Brickell White

Interesting fact: Its congregation is the oldest European-American in South Carolina, with its first church built in 1680.

Can you visit? Yes

12. San Fernando de Bexar Cathedral – San Antonio, Texas

Location: Downtown San Antonio, Texas

Year built: 1750

Practicing faith: Catholic

Architectural style: Colonial, Gothic Revival designed by Francois P. Giraud

Interesting fact: Built in the 1700s, it is one of the oldest cathedrals in the United States.

Can you visit? Yes

13. Thorncrown Chapel – Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Location: Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Year built: 1980

Practicing faith: Non-denominational meditation

Architectural style: Modern open-air/ “Ozark Gothic”

Interesting fact: It was inspired by Sainte-Chapelle, a Gothic church in Paris, and commissioned by a retired schoolteacher

Can you visit? Yes

14. Grace Cathedral – San Francisco, California

Location: San Francisco, California

Year built: 1930

Practicing faith: Episcopal

Architectural style: Gothic Revival/French Gothic designed by Lewis P. Hobart

Interesting fact: This working cathedral features stunning stained glass and intricate labyrinths.

Can you visit? Yes

15. Cathedral of Saint Paul – Saint Paul, Minnesota

Location: Cathedral Hill, Downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota

Year built: 1906

Practicing faith: Roman Catholic

Architectural style: Beaux-Arts/Neoclassical designed by Emmanuel Louis Masqueray and Whitney Warren

Interesting fact: It is the third-largest Catholic cathedral in the United States

Can you visit? Yes

16. Trinity Church – New York City

Location: Lower Manhattan, New York City

Year built: 1846

Practicing faith: Episcopal Diocese

Architectural style: Gothic Revival designed by Richard Upjohn, Frederick Clark Withers, and Charles Babcock

Interesting fact: The original Trinity Church was built in 1698 but destroyed in the Great New York City Fire of 1776.

Can you visit? Yes

17. Chapel of the Holy Cross – Sedona, Arizona

Location: Red rock buttes in the Coconino National Forest, Sedona, Arizona

Year built: 1956

Practicing faith: Roman Catholic

Architectural style: Contextualism – designed by Richard Hein and August Strotz

Interesting fact: It was inspired by a local rancher and sculptor. 25 tons of rock were removed using dynamite.

Can you visit? Yes

18. Basilica of St. Mary – Minneapolis, Minnesota

Location: Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Year built: 1907

Practicing faith: Roman Catholic

Architectural style: Beaux-Arts/Neoclassical – designed by Emmanuel Louis Masqueray

Interesting fact: It was the first basilica in the United States. Its architecture and engineering design were highly praised.

Can you visit? Yes

19. Trinity Church – Boston, Massachusetts

Location: Back Bay neighborhood, Boston, Massachusetts

Year built: 1872-1877

Practicing faith: Episcopal Diocese

Architectural style: Richardsonian Romanesque – designed by Henry Hobson Richardson

Interesting fact: Trinity Church is the birthplace of this style of architecture

Can you visit? Yes

20. Mission San Xavier del Bac – Tucson, Arizona

Location: Tucson, Arizona

Year built: 1797

Practicing faith: Spanish Catholic

Architectural style: Baroque – Inspired by Byzantine and Moorish design

Interesting fact: It is the oldest European structure in Arizona

Can you visit? Yes

The Most Beautiful and Awe-Inspiring Churches and Cathedrals in the United States: A Recap of the Top 25