St. Paul’s Chapel Celebrates 250th Anniversary

A view across the street shows the exterior of St. Paul’s Chapel.
A view of the exterior of St. Paul's Chapel. Photo courtesy of Trinity Church Wall Street/Leo Sorel.

Best known by residents as New York City’s “Little Church that Stood,” St. Paul’s is planning for the chapel’s 250th anniversary on Oct. 30, according to an Associated Press report. The resilient chapel withstood the fall of the Twin Towers in 2001 and has had worshippers “ranging from George Washington to those who searched for victims following the Sept. 11 attacks.”

St. Paul’s is planning to unveil a "9/11 Chapel of Remembrance" which will contain 9/11 artifacts and allow for quiet reflection for visitors as well as a substantial renovation of the interior of the sanctuary.

As Manhattan’s “last remaining colonial structure,” the report said that St. Paul’s chapel was built in 1766 and experienced a remarkable history in its tenure. The structure survived several fires in colonial times including the Great Fire of 1776 that “consumed a quarter of lower Manhattan.”

"That is why Founding Fathers like George Washington wound up worshipping at St. Paul's regularly," said Anne Petrimoulx, the archivist for Trinity Church and St. Paul's told the AP.

Along with the interior renovation, many of the church’s artifacts have been restored recently including an 18th-century painting of the Great Seal of the United States.

St. Paul’s, while renowned for its ministry, rich history and religious services, is most remembered by New Yorkers “for providing meals, beds and counseling to rescue workers after 9/11.”

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

Previous Post

This Week Marks Birthdays of Best Friends Judith Diaz-Sierra, Emy De La Peña

A white rose stands at the name of Judith Diaz-Sierra on the 9/11 Memorial.

Behind each of the 2,983 names on the 9/11 Memorial are layers of “meaningful adjacencies,” reflecting affiliations and personal relationships.

View Blog Post

Next Post

Mandy Patinkin of Showtime’s ‘Homeland’ and Creators Lead Program at 9/11 Museum

Mandy Patinkin, Alex Gansa, and Howard Gordon speak onstage at a public program at the 9/11 Memorial Museum’s Auditorium.

Revealing behind the scenes details of the thrilling drama, “Homeland,” Tony Award-winning actor Mandy Patinkin and show creators Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon spoke last night to a packed auditorium at the 9/11 Museum.

View Blog Post