Description
The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin is an Episcopal church in the heart of Times Square, on West 46th Street: a French Gothic limestone front among the theaters and neon, finished in 1895 and known for its solemn liturgy and music.
Inside, the vaulting is painted cobalt blue with gold stars, the vivid colors brought back by a restoration in 1996–97. The nave rises 24 meters to the ceiling, and the sculptures are by J. Massey Rhind.
The church's professional choir sings at the Sunday Solemn Mass, with plainchant in Latin and a repertoire from the Middle Ages to living composers. So much incense goes into the services that New Yorkers call it "Smoky Mary's."
Hidden inside its walls is a steel frame, which made it the first church in the world built on a concealed steel skeleton.
Inside, the vaulting is painted cobalt blue with gold stars, the vivid colors brought back by a restoration in 1996–97. The nave rises 24 meters to the ceiling, and the sculptures are by J. Massey Rhind.
The church's professional choir sings at the Sunday Solemn Mass, with plainchant in Latin and a repertoire from the Middle Ages to living composers. So much incense goes into the services that New Yorkers call it "Smoky Mary's."
Hidden inside its walls is a steel frame, which made it the first church in the world built on a concealed steel skeleton.