For Immediate Release
St. Paul’s Chapel Turns 250
Historic Chapelin Lower Manhattan Celebrates Sestercentennialon October 30, 2016
New York, NY (October 26, 2016) - St. Paul’s Chapel in Lower Manhattan—witness to the birth of the United States, beloved part of the fabric of New York, enduring symbol of reconciliation and faith for people locally and abroad,and home to avibrant, growing congregation—turns250 on October 30.To celebrate, over the next year visitors will seethe newly restored chapel and experience new exhibits, tours, concerts, lectures, and children’s activities, all open to the public.
New York was a very different city when Trinity’s “Chapel of Ease” first opened its doors on October 30, 1766. The city’s growing population was moving north. Trinity Church, chartered in 1697 and located at the former site of the wall at the old northern border, decided to build its second chapel to accommodate parishioners who had moved uptown. Today, 250 years later, the chapel is still used as a spiritual home for downtown residents, making it the oldest surviving church building in Manhattan and the only one to remain in continuous use since Colonial days. President George Washington and members of Congress worshipped there, just as hundreds of parishioners and visitors do now.
The Rev. Dr. William Lupfer, the 18th Rector of Trinity Church Wall Street, said, “We are honored to be stewards of St. Paul’s Chapel. Its longevity and continuity are reflections of the worshippingcommunity’s deep faith, the lifeblood of any active parish.We welcome all to join us as we celebratethe chapel’s 250th anniversary on October 30 and throughout the coming year.”
The October 30 celebrations will feature a special prayer service at 3 PM that includes invitees from faith communities in existence in Lower Manhattan in 1766 as well as local dignitaries. An original copy of the first sermon preached on October 30, 1766 will be on display. The day also will feature a 1 PM walking tour by noted historian Barnet Schecter and a 4:15 PM lecture by noted Columbia historian and former Trinity Vestryman, Dr. Kenneth Jackson, who will speak on “A City and A Church: The Remarkable History of St. Paul’s Chapel and the Streets Beyond the Doors.” The events are free and open to the public, with RSVP required to trinitywallstreet.org/250rsvp.
The commemoration will continue throughout the anniversary year with pop-up exhibits in the chapel featuring artifacts from its past,theTime’s Arrow music festival,an autumn children’s fair and colonial summer camp, new tours,Neighborhood Movie Nights with a New York theme, and historical lectures.
The restoration of the venerable building includedpainstakingly painting the interior with 500 gallons of historically appropriate natural cream, white dove and deep caviar, and thoroughly cleaning the crystal chandeliers crafted by artisansmore than200 years ago. St. Paul himself has been rejuvenated. The original late-18th century statue carved from tulip poplar, which overlooked Broadway from a niche on the outside of the chapel for more than two centuries, has been conserved and moved indoors to thesoutheast cornerof the sanctuary. A weather–resistant resin replica took itsplace outside on Broadway earlier this month.
The multi-year restoration included repair of the building’s façade, preservation of monuments inside and out including the Thomas Addis Emmet Obelisk in the south churchyard, and new landscaping. High tech improvementsinclude installation of air conditioning and webcasting capability.
A new display outside on the wrought iron fence, itself installed in 1837, highlights significant moments in the timeline of St. Paul’s Chapel. Inside, a new exhibitwill explore the evolving life of the parish and the diverse ministries of the chapel, particularly those of reconciliation and healing. As part of that telling, a new 9/11 Chapel of Remembrance has been created, and will offer visitors aplace of reflection with artifacts on display that recall the extraordinary volunteer ministry the parish hosted to care for Ground Zero’s weary rescue and recovery workers seeking hope, comfort and renewal.
To learn more at about St. Paul’s Chapel and see a full schedule of 250th anniversary events, visit
About Trinity Church Wall Street
Now in its fourth century, Trinity Church Wall Street is a vibrant and welcoming Episcopal community with a wide-ranging ministry of service to others. The parish welcomes approximately three million visitors per year to its historic Lower Manhattan sanctuaries, Trinity Church and St. Paul’s Chapel. Trinity’s mission focuses on worship, social justice, music, art, and education, both locally and worldwide. More than 20 worship services are offered every week, many of which are webcast online at trinitywallstreet.org.
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