8 Religious Marvels in US

St. Patrick's Cathedral, Bahai temple make the list
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 14, 2012 11:50 AM CDT
8 Religious Marvels in US
St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

The US may not have the reputation of being chock full of religious landmarks, but CNN runs down a list of eight sites worth the trip to see:

  • Bahai House of Worship: It's located in Wilmette, Illinois, one of only seven such temples in the world. "The circular temple has nine sides and is surrounded by fountain-filled gardens," and it's open for free to visitors of any (or no) religion.

  • Hsi Lai Temple: The Buddhist site in Hacienda Heights, California, recalls the architecture of the Ming and Ch'ing dynasties. It's shaped like a bodhi leaf in honor of the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.
  • Islamic Center of America: The huge mosque in Dearborn, Michigan, may be modern, but it has a design inspired by "venerable houses of worship" in India, Turkey, and elsewhere.
  • St. Patrick's Cathedral: The iconic church in Manhattan "has an old-world grandeur that's rare in New York."
Click for the full list, which includes the Palace of Gold in West Virginia. (More travel stories.)

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