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.

The Bahai House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois is strategically located just about half hour away from the state of Chicago. This is the solitary temple in North America for those who belong to the Bahai faith whose origins can be traced back in the 19th century from Persia. A white lace appearance of this elaborately designed structure is due to the combination of cement and quarts and the plethora of fountains surrounding the gardens.

Another iconic place situated in New York City is the St. Patrick`s Cathedral which is well-known as a place of retreat for the growing number of Catholics in the metropolitan. The Neo-Gothic church was erected in 1879 with its vibrant stained glass windows and magnificent marble facade. Though not a grand as the surrounding skyscrapers, people come to this church to pray and watch the beautiful scenes.

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.

On the other hand, people of the Muslim faith flock to the 65,000-square-foot Islamic Center of America which is situated in Dearborn, Michigan. This mosque was opened in 2005 which provides services to almost 5,000 Arab-Muslim families. Inside the modern mosque are crystal chandeliers, Islamic decorated prayer room, imported granites and Quranic verses calligraphy with a distinct fiberglass dome and stone-carved edifice on the outside.

The Memorial Presby Church located in Saint Augustine, Florida provides a place of homage for the members of the Presbyterian faith. The church' founder - the tycoon Henry Morrison Flagler along with his family Mary, his wife; Jenny Louise Benedict, his daughter; and Marjorie, his granddaughter are all entombed inside the historical church. Its walls with wood carvings and its windows produced from stained glass resemble the European cathedrals.

The Temple Emanu-El situated in New York City is one of the largest Jewish temples all over the world. Standing majestically at 103 feet tall, 100 feet wide, and 175 feet long, this vibrant edifice has the capacity of 2,500 people. Once inside this grand building, one will be awed at the ceilings with is various paints and gilds, the more than 60 windows with stained glasses and the arches with glass mosaics and marbles.

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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