h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

IMHO -

For sheer breathtakingness, The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine - a "house of prayer for all nations" - in Manhatten rivals anything I have ever seen, felt or experienced.

Begun in 1892, it remains unfinished to this day, and this 'ongoing' quality - picking up bits of the comtemporary world as it goes along - means that it is constantly alive and renewing itself. And this is in addition to the juxtapostion of such inspiring majesty surrounded by a 21st century urban neighborhood. The energy crackles, and atheists such as myself doubt.

The original Romanesque/Byzantine design, already under construction, was modified into a Gothic theme in 1911 with a new architecture firm, and work continued on what is to be the largest cathedral in the world. On November 30,1941, the full length of the Cathedral was opened.

With the attack on Pearl Harbor the next week, all construction stopped until 1982. (The Pearl Harbor Arch, as it is called, shows incomplete masonry where a stonecarver did not return to his work.) Work continued until 1998, but has again stopped for the foreseeable future.

Nowadays, St. John's is home to many, many artists, arts organizations and events, including Paul Winter's annual 'Winter Solstice Concert'. Tours and events throughout the year vary in admission fees, if any.

(!!! If any of you are in New York the first half of September, you hafta, hafta, hafta go there and see the Mettawee River Theatre Company and The Shakespeare Project's: "Communications from a Cockroach - Archy and the Underside'" as designed and directed by Ralph Lee. "Archy and Mehitabel" is some of the finest poetry ever written, and Ralph Lee one of the finest maskmaker/puppeteers you could hope to experience. The already-boggled mind boggles. Whew!)



In a more modest but no less magnificent configuration on the West Coast, the Swedenborgian Church on the corner of Lyon and Washington in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco also gives one a sense of humankind's potential.

Built in 1895 under the direction of pastor Joseph Worestor, the church reflects both the Swedenborgian concept of 'the spirit in all things' and Worestor's respect of and friendship with John Muir. The roof is supported by eight Madrona trees that were hauled from the Santa Cruz mountains wrapped in padding to reserve the bark. There is no paint or gilt in the room, as well as no pews - instead, parishioners sit in one of the original 80 hand-made, rush-covered chairs still in use.

One enters the sanctuary from a modest side entrance, after passing through a garden that is glorious in its simplicity. There are trees planted from all over the world, including an Irish Yew, a Cedar from Lebanon, an Olive tree from the Holy Land, a Maple from Japan, a California Redwood, a Crab Apple from Siberia, and a New England Elm.

The then-emerging "Arts and Crafts" (aka 'Mission') style of architecture and design is found in the asymmetrical dynamics throughout the building, and consistently incorporated in the 'purity of materials and line' used.

Simply sitting within the Swedenborgian Church allows one to relax, focus and feel at peace - no mean accomplishment for a structure made by mortals. And for free.



(Further information may be gleaned from and interest sated at their websites, [dot]org's both. Search for either 'stjohndivine' or 'sfswedenborgian'.)



Thirdly, the absolutely most beautiful thing made by humans in the world is unequivocally the Golden Gate Bridge. (I haven't seen everything else in the world yet, but I'm pretty sure of this.) Although a bridge across the Golden Gate Strait was first concieved in 1872, weather and ocean currents were thought to make the task impossible. Construction began during America's Great Depression (a remarkable feat in and of itself), and the bridge opened in May, 1937. It was the world's longest suspension bridge only until 1964, yet remains a marvel of engineering, grace and dreams. Thank Whoever that pedestrian traffic is not only allowed, but encouraged; for from nowhere else is the panorama of San Francisco more stunning.



It amazes me that the human race's most nearly-ethereal accomplishments - architecture and music - remain ultimately temporal. But then again, don't we all...

Thank you for your time.

-7rob7

Thank you for sharing your wisdom

Ashley -

(Oh my gods and goddesses!!!! I've come to the attention of the Editors!!!!!! Aaaaaaaa!!!!!)

Sorry - just a little intimidated by your use of the word 'wisdom'. Usually I just make this stuff up as I go along...

Thank YOU for 'Floccinaucinihilipilification'... I have been something of a sesquipedalianist for a long time. (Pity Jesse Helms ever got hold of it...)

Thanks you for the compliment.

-7rob7

I agree that the Swedenborgian church in SF is fantastic. I attended a wedding there years ago, and it was a lovely little place - set amid a very busy area. But then SF has so many great places - I always loved the huge Victoarian (somebody or other's 'Folly' it was called, I believe) at Eureka and 19th or thereabouts. Also there was a fairly modest house in the Glen Park area with this wonderful glass conservatory that was falling into ruins over in Glen park - in (I think Monterey Ave.) And the old Victorian homes scattered thru Oakland across the bay are magnificent!