St. Paul’s Chapel has served Manhattan since the Colonial era

St. Paul’s Chapel in Lower Manhattan, New York, held a special service—250 years to the day when, on Oct. 30, 1766, it opened its doors as a chapel of ease for Trinity Church, Wall Street. It was built to accommodate the growing number of Trinity parishioners who were moving north. The chapel today 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. It predates the founding of the United States by 10 years and was the church of the country’s first president, George Washington.

The building survived the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center towers, protected from falling masonry by a sycamore tree, which acted as a shield. The only harm was smoke damage to the organ pipes, since restored. For months after the attack the chapel served as a respite center for emergency and rescue workers, with hundreds of volunteers helping to cook meals and offer counseling and prayers to the workers.

To prepare for the anniversary, the chapel underwent a significant restoration, which included the painstaking repainting of the interior. Some 500 gallons of “historically appropriate” natural cream, white dove, and deep caviar paint were used; and the chandeliers, crafted by artisans more than 200 years ago, were 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, was conserved and moved indoors to the southeast corner of the sanctuary. A weather-resistant resin replica has taken its place outside.

“We are honored to be stewards of St. Paul’s Chapel,” the rector of Trinity Wall Street, the Rev. Dr. William Lupfer, said. “Its longevity and continuity are reflections of the worshiping community’s deep faith, the lifeblood of any active parish. We welcome all to join us throughout the coming year.”

Originally posted at www.anglicannews.org