Situated in the heart of Manhattan’s Financial District, Trinity Church is a historic landmark that’s part of the Episcopal Church. This Gothic Revival building was built in the 1840s and was preceded by two other properties on other sites. Trinity Church has some of the most magnificent stained-glass windows and other interior decorations of any religious building in New York City. The North Churchyard and South Churchyard also include memorials and graves of important Americans. Click to book your Churches, Chapels, and Cathedrals tour.
Walking Tours
As an active entity of the Episcopal denomination, Trinity Church holds regular religious services. Visitors are more than welcome to explore the architectural and decorative elements of this historic place of worship.
The Broadway Entrance has several bronze doors that were installed in the 1890s by the prominent American architect Richard Morris Hunt. As you proceed toward the nave, you’ll notice the pipe organ case. The main sanctuary in the nave includes lion carvings, an altar, and an intricate pulpit.
Perhaps the most eye-catching features of Trinity Church are the stained-glass windows that depict various biblical scenes and motifs. For example, you’ll see the Twelve Apostles and Jesus Christ in some of the decorative elements in the church. Some other smaller compartments include the All Saints’ Chapel, North Monument Room, and South Monument Room.
The cemetery of Trinity Church is the resting place of many prominent figures in American history. For example, Robert Fulton is buried in the Livingston vault in the North Churchyard and his memorial is in the South Churchyard. Alexander Hamilton is also buried in the South Churchyard. A larger-than-life-size statue of The Honorable John Watts is also installed in this outdoor courtyard. The North Churchyard includes the Soldiers’ Monument, Fireman’s Memorial, and Astor Cross.
The church completed a 20-month restoration of the nave in the summer of 2020. It was the first major refurbishing of the historic building in nearly 75 years. The high altar, sculptures, stained glass, tapestry, and tiles are a few of the items that have been rejuvenated.
History
By the end of the 17th century, England controlled the island of Manhattan. King William III issued an official charter for the establishment of a church that would solidify colonial rule in the area. Affiliated with the Church of England, Trinity Church opened along the shores of the Hudson River.
The American Revolution marked a major turning point in the fate of Trinity Church, which fell victim to the Great New York City Fire of 1776. The second church reopened at the same location 14 years later.
In the 1830s, the British-American architect Richard Upjohn designed the new church project from scratch. The 1839-1846 construction of the third and current Trinity Church was done because the second church became structurally unsound. Since then, this Gothic Revival structure has stood as a prominent fixture at the westernmost corner of Wall Street.
The horrific September 11 Attacks posed a slight threat to the structural integrity of Trinity Church. Miraculously, the church suffered minimal damage from the debris of the collapsing Twin Towers that were just a few blocks away.
Visiting Trinity Church
Trinity Church stands as an iconic landmark at the intersection of Broadway and Wall Street in Lower Manhattan. Served by the 4 and 5 lines of the New York City Subway, the Wall Street station is literally located under the foundation of the church. The 1, R, and W trains stop at the Rector Street station that’s only one block away from the church. Numerous Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) buses also stop along Trinity Place and Broadway.
There are several other exciting and interesting ways to reach Lower Manhattan, including by ferry. The Whitehall Terminal is Manhattan’s only hub for the Staten Island Ferry. You can also take the New York Waterway to the Pier 11/Wall Street dock along the East River. Ferry service is available at the World Financial Center Ferry Terminal along the Hudson River.
Location: 75 Broadway, New York, NY, 10006
Click here to visit Trinity Church official website.