Manhattan’s Cathedral of Saint John the Divine held a rededication ceremony during Sunday morning's services to mark the cathedral's reopening to the public.

The world’s fourth-largest church and Morningside Heights landmark underwent an extensive $41 million restoration project after a fire broke out in the cathedral gift shop in December 2001.

The flames damaged several ancient tapestries and the cathedral's renowned organ. But every inch of limestone, marble, granite and stained glass was carefully cleaned and restored, and the organ was sent off to Missouri for repairs.

Church officials say it is important to have the entire cathedral open because it is both a religious center and a city landmark.

"Everyone is very excited about getting the whole cathedral back,” said the cathedral’s Dean James Kowalski, who was elected to his position a month before the fire. “We'll worship in it today, we'll have some civic celebrations during the week, really because the cathedral is obviously a great New York religious institution but also a very important civic institution."

Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton and Edward Cardinal Egan attended the service in the 3,500-seat cathedral. Firefighters who battled the 2001 blaze also attended the ceremony.

About 5,000 worshippers of all faiths from across the world waited in a line that snaked around the block to enter the cathedral that was standing-room only.

“It’s good to see that these sorts of buildings are being maintained and looked after... for the future,” said a participant.

“The church, that is for everybody. Even though I’m Greek Orthodox, I thought I should come today and share my prayers with the church,” said another participants.

“Months ago, when I heard that the cathedral was reopening today after the fire, I knew that I would want to be in the congregation," said a third. "And we’ve come from Toronto today to be sure that we were here to celebrate this wonderful opening of this amazing cathedral."

The cathedral's nave reopened to the public in July.

The still-unfinished structure, which is a central location of the Episcopalian faith, began construction in 1892.

"Some people would say why in the world would the Episcopalians in New York, who number right now about 63,000, ever build anything this big?” said Kowalski. “And I don't think it was because people were trying to be grandiose or arrogant or reach too far. Their vision was they weren't building the cathedral just for themselves. They were reaching across faiths and cultures – they wanted this to be a cathedral for all people."