7. Part of St. Patrick’s Cathedral Was Recycled

In 1906, St Patrick’s Cathedral completed its Lady Chapel. When the chapel was added to the eastern end of the church, the church discarded part of its original eastern facade and stained glass windows. At the same time, Joseph McMahon had been tasked by the diocese with setting up a parish in Hamilton Heights. In order to make the best use of his budget, McMahon used discarded remnants and relics to construct his new church, Our Lady of Lourdes. The front of the church came from the National Academy Building, the stairs from A. T. Stewart’s mansion, the iron beams and windows from the Catholic Orphan Asylum, and the rear of the church (and some of the stained glass windows) were taken from the eastern end of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which were discarded when the Lady Chapel was constructed.