Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Faith Worship Pilgrimage Sites In The USA

By Jayne Rutledge


America is well-known as the land of flowing honey and milk where a lot people wanted to go. However, many of them are unaware about the wonderful and religious edifices that are scattered across the country. Here are the faith worship pilgrimage sites in the US.


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.

Another well-known edifice where Catholics take refuge is the St. Patrick's Cathedral that can be found in the middle of the city of New York. Built in 1879, this Neo-Gothic inspired building exudes the glorious marbles in the outside and the colorful glass stained windows. Compared with the adjacent skyscrapers, this structure is not as grand but still people flocks here to offer their prayers or to simply admire the majestic scenery.

For the people of Buddhist faith, the Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, California is their place of worship. Erected in 1988, this Buddhist temple resembles the 14th to 20th century of Ming and Ch`ing dynasty in China. The temple houses Western and Eastern art galleries, Buddhist artifacts, photographs and ceramics with a bodhi leaf reflection when viewed from above which reflects the symbolic tree where Buddha had the enlightenment experience.

For the plethora of Arab-Muslim people, they flock to Dearborn, Michigan and offer their prayer at the grand Islamic Center of America. A gigantic 65,000-square-foot edifice, this mosque serves to around 5,000 families since it opened its doors in 2005. Outside the mosque are the structures carved in stone and the dome in distinct fiberglass appearance while inside the structure are the calligraphy of Quranic verses, gemstone chandeliers, imported granites, and prayer room of Islamic decors.

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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