Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Faith Worship Pilgrimage Sites In The USA

By Jayne Rutledge


The United States of America is famous as the land flowing with milk and honey where many people flock to this Promised Land. However, only few people are aware about the religious and wonderful places of solace that are found in this country. Come, let us journey through the faith worship destinations in America.

An intricately carved temple situated just 30 minutes away from Chicago in Wilmette, Illinois is the Bahai House of Worship. This is the only kind of temple in the North American region which provides services to the Bahai faith members whose deep roots started from Persia during the 19th century. This circular temple exudes a white lace appearance with the mixture of quartz and cement surrounded by gardens with fountains.

For the multitude of people in the Catholic faith, they visit the St. Patrick`s Cathedral located in New York City. Built in 1879, this iconic church exudes a Neo-Gothic appearance with its facade made of splendid marbles and its windows made of colorful stained glass. People visit this iconic church to offer their prayer or just to relish at the magnificent scenery even though this building is not as tall as the nearby skyscrapers.

Meanwhile, the Hsi Lai Temple which is located in Hacienda Heights, California serves as the place of service for the Buddhist people. This temple reflects that 14th to 20th Chinese dynasty of Ming and Ch`ing even though this was erected just in 1988. The temple`s bird`s eye view signifies a bodhi leaf icon where Buddha was known to encounter enlightenment and the temple`s insides features Buddhist artifacts, ceramics, art galleries of both Eastern and Western era and photographs.

The other way, the majestic Islamic Center of America located in Dearborn, Michigan provides a place of solace for the members of the Arab-Muslim faith. This 65,000-square-foot structure provides services to around 5,000 families since its inception or construction in 2005. When viewed from inside, one will find crystal chandeliers, imported granites, prayer room in Islamic motif, and calligraphy of Quranic verses but when viewed from the outside, one will get awed at the stone carvings and the fiberglass dome structure of the building.

Meanwhile, people of Presbyterian faith finds solace in the beautiful Memorial Presbyterian Church situated in St. Augustine, Florida. Built in 1889, the historical church entombed the founding family Henry Morrison Flagler, his first wife Mary, his daughter Jenny Louise Benedict and his granddaughter Marjorie. This unique and majestic church showcases stained-glass windows and wood-carved walls similar to the European cathedrals.

Situated at the heart of New York City, the Temple Emanu-El is among the world`s grandest Jewish temple. Accommodating 2,500 individuals since its construction in 1929, this vibrant edifice stands at an enormous 175 feet in length, 100 feet in width, and 103 feet in height. Inside the magnificent temple are the arches with glass mosaics, more than 60 windows made of stained glass, and ceilings that are painted and gilded.

There are still other historic religious sites in the country that people can visit to enrich their faith worship experience. After all, these religious sanctuaries provide inspirations to people from all walks of life even if they do not practice a faith. What a way indeed to combine faith and travel in the country flowing with milk and honey.




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