St. Paul's Chapel facts for kids
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St. Paul's Chapel
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St. Paul's Chapel in Manhattan
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| Location | Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
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| Built | 1766 |
| Architect | Thomas McBean or Peter Harrison |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000551 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | October 9, 1960 |
St. Paul's Chapel is a very old church building in Lower Manhattan, New York City. It is located at 209 Broadway. Built in 1766, it is the oldest church building still standing in Manhattan. It is also a great example of a style called Late Georgian church architecture.
In 1960, the chapel was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical place in the United States. It also became a New York City Landmark in 1966. St. Paul's Chapel became famous after the September 11 attacks in 2001. Even though the World Trade Center towers collapsed right behind it, the chapel remained standing. Because of this, people started calling it "The Little Chapel That Stood".
Contents
The Chapel's Design and Look
St. Paul's Chapel is part of the Parish of Trinity Church. The land for the chapel was given by Anne, Queen of Great Britain. Building the main part of the church started in 1764 and finished in 1766. The tall spire, which is the pointed top part, was added later, between 1794 and 1796.
The chapel is made of a type of rock called Manhattan schist. It also has brownstone corner blocks. Its design includes a classic portico (a porch with columns). It also has simple, boxy shapes and home-like details. These features are common in Georgian churches, like St Martin-in-the-Fields in London. The church's spire has eight sides and sits on a square base. At its very top is a copy of an ancient Greek monument. Inside, the chapel has light colors, a flat ceiling, and cut glass chandeliers. These features make it feel like a fancy home from that time.
For a long time, people thought a Scottish architect named Thomas McBean designed the church. He was a student of a famous architect named James Gibbs. However, new information suggests that another architect, Peter Harrison, might have been the designer. A skilled craftsman named Andrew Gautier made the chapel's inside decorations.
When it was finished in 1766, St. Paul's Chapel was the tallest building in New York City. It was built in a field, far from the busy port city to the south. It was meant to be a "chapel-of-ease". This meant it was easier for people to get to than the main Trinity Church.
On the Broadway side of the chapel, there is a wooden statue of Saint Paul. An unknown artist carved it, and it was put there in 1790. Below the east window, there is a monument to Brigadier General Richard Montgomery. He died in the American Revolutionary War during the Battle of Quebec (1775). The first bell in the spire was made in London in 1797. A second bell was added in 1866 to celebrate the chapel's 100th birthday.
A Look Back in Time
Early Days
During the American Revolutionary War, a group of soldiers called the Hearts of Oak would practice in the chapel's yard. Many of these soldiers were students from King's College (now Columbia University). Alexander Hamilton, a very important figure in American history, was an officer in this group. The chapel was lucky to survive the Great New York City Fire of 1776. This fire burned down a quarter of New York City, including Trinity Church.
George Washington, who became the first U.S. President, attended church services at St. Paul's Chapel. He went there on his Inauguration Day, April 30, 1789. Washington also went to services at St. Paul's for two years while New York City was the country's capital. Above Washington's special seat, called a pew, there is an old painting of the Great Seal of the United States. This seal was chosen in 1782.
The chapel has many monuments and memorials. These show how important it was in early New York. There is a monument for Richard Montgomery, a hero from the Battle of Quebec. It was made by a sculptor named Jean-Jacques Caffieri in 1777. You can also see George Washington's original pew. The chapel also has a beautiful sculpture called "Glory." It was designed by Pierre L'Enfant, who planned the city of Washington, D.C.. The pulpit (where the preacher stands) has a crown and feathers on top. There are also fourteen original cut glass chandeliers hanging inside.
After the September 11, 2001 Attacks
The back of St. Paul's Chapel faces Church Street. This is right across from where the World Trade Center used to stand. After the terrible attacks on September 11, 2001, the chapel became a place of rest for recovery workers. These were the brave people working at the World Trade Center site.
For eight months, hundreds of volunteers worked day and night. They served meals, made beds, and offered comfort to firefighters, construction workers, police, and others. People like massage therapists, chiropractors, and musicians also helped them.
The church was incredibly lucky. It survived the attacks without even a broken window. Many believe it was saved by a sycamore tree on its corner. This tree was hit by falling debris, protecting the chapel. The tree's root has been saved as a bronze memorial. While the church's organ was damaged by smoke and dirt, it has been fixed and is now used again.
The fence around the church grounds became a place for people to leave memorials. People left flowers, photos, and teddy bears. The chapel then put up special panels for visitors to add to the memorial. They thought they would need about 15 panels, but they ended up needing 400!
Rudy Giuliani, who was the mayor at the time, gave his farewell speech at the church in December 2001.
Today, the chapel is a popular place for tourists. It still displays many of the memorial banners. It also has a detailed audio and video history of the 9/11 events. There are several exhibits inside. One is called "Healing Hearts and Minds." It shows a police uniform covered with patches from police and fire departments across the U.S. Another important exhibit is the "Thread Project." This has colorful banners woven from different places around the world, hanging from the upper level.
Recent Updates
A big project to fix the outside of the building started in 2013. The stone blocks and smooth sandstone parts were repaired. The clock in the steeple got a new digital system, and its bells were cleaned. Some of the old clock parts were saved as historical items. The decorative edges of the roof were painted with a special paint that looked like the original. Broken panes in the wooden windows were replaced with new glass that looks like old, imperfect glass.
At the same time, the church also worked on its churchyard. This yard has always been a peaceful green space in busy Lower Manhattan. But years of damage and many visitors meant it needed to be fixed. Problems like soil erosion and overgrown trees were taken care of. The work was done carefully by hand, as the site has old graves and tree roots.
Church Services and Famous Visitors
St. Paul's Chapel is a very active part of the Parish of Trinity Church. It holds church services, weekday concerts, and sometimes lectures. It also helps people who are homeless.
On September 10, 2006, St. Paul's Chapel held a special memorial service. President George W. Bush, Senator Hillary Clinton, and other important leaders attended. The chapel held more services on the fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
Many famous people have visited St. Paul's Chapel. George Washington attended church here on his Inauguration Day, April 30, 1789. He continued to attend services at St. Paul's for two years. This was while New York City was the country's capital and Trinity Church was being rebuilt. Above Washington's pew, there is a painting of the Great Seal of the United States.
Across from Washington's pew is the governor's pew. George Clinton, the first governor of New York State, used this pew. It has the symbol of New York State to remember his service. Other famous visitors include Prince William (who later became William IV of the United Kingdom), Lord Cornwallis, and several U.S. presidents like Grover Cleveland and George H. W. Bush.
People Buried Here
Many notable people are buried at St. Paul's Chapel:
- Richard Montgomery and his wife Janet Livingston Montgomery
- Richard Coote, 1st Earl of Bellomont
- William Denning
- John Holt, a publisher
- William Houstoun, a lawyer
- Campbell P. White and his wife Harriet Banyer Le Roy White
- Stephen Rochefontaine
Important Designations
The building was named a National Historic Landmark in 1960. One reason for this is that it is the oldest public building in New York City that has been used continuously. It was also named a New York City designated landmark in 1966.
In 2016, the New York Landmarks Conservancy gave an award to the chapel. This award recognized the great work done to restore both the chapel and its churchyard.
Gallery
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Monument to Richard Montgomery, above his tomb
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"Healing Hearts and Minds", an exhibit inside the chapel with patches from police and fire departments
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Interfaith service at St. Paul's Chapel on September 11, 2006
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From the south, across Broadway
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See also
In Spanish: Capilla de San Pablo (Nueva York) para niños
- List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan below 14th Street
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Manhattan below 14th Street
- List of the oldest buildings in New York
- Oldest churches in the United States
