Information
Landmark: Historic St. Andrew's ChurchCity: Staten Island
Country: USA New York
Continent: North America
Historic St. Andrew's Church, Staten Island, USA New York, North America
Overview
Let’s take a closer look at Historic St. Andrew’s Church on Staten Island-founded in 1708, it stands as one of New York City’s oldest Episcopal congregations, its weathered stone walls still holding the quiet of centuries.The Church of England’s Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts founded it as a missionary church to serve Staten Island’s first settlers, who gathered in a small wooden building by the shore.The first church was built between 1709 and 1712, its stone walls still holding the chill of those early mornings.In 1712, Queen Anne issued the parish its royal charter and presented gleaming silver communion vessels, formally establishing it as a parish.During the American Revolution, British troops turned the church into a hospital, its pews crowded with wounded men-a stark reminder of the era’s turmoil.The church’s original building took heavy damage in two separate fires-one in 1867, the other in 1872-leaving its blackened walls standing against the sky.The church you see today was rebuilt in 1872, just a short time later, its fresh timber still carrying the scent of pine.The rebuilt church blends Victorian Norman-Gothic design, with sturdy fieldstone walls trimmed in deep red brick that catch the afternoon light.Gothic Revival style shows in its pointed arches, steep gables catching the rain, and sturdy buttresses.Interior details that weave 19th‑century Victorian style with the ornate arches and carved motifs of old church design.Burch Hall, built in 1924, sits beside the church as a warm parish hall and gathering place, its brickwork echoing the church’s graceful design.The church is encircled by a historic cemetery, its weathered stone markers dating back to the late 1700s.Among the notable burials are early rectors, including Rev., whose name still echoes through the quiet stones of the churchyard.Richard Charlton was the maternal grandfather of Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first U. S.-born saint, whose quiet voice once carried across a candlelit room.Pet Cemetery: Tucked behind the grounds, a small pet cemetery quietly reflects the community’s long history here, its weathered stones telling stories of loyal companions.St. Andrew’s remains a lively Episcopal parish, holding weekly worship and marking life’s milestones with baptisms, weddings, and funerals, the soft chime of its bell calling neighbors to gather.Cultural events at the church range from lively concerts to local lectures and hands-on workshops, drawing neighbors together and keeping Richmondtown’s community spirit alive.St. Andrew’s, a designated historic site, stands preserved for its striking architecture and for the part it played in Staten Island’s colonial and religious past, from weathered stone walls to the echo of old church bells.Locals know the church for its eerie past, whispering about strange footsteps in the empty hall and voices that seem to come from nowhere.An organ plays on its own, keys rising and falling like quiet footsteps in an empty hall.Photographs slip from the wall for no reason, landing with a dull thud on the floor.These strange happenings have turned it into a favorite stop for ghost hunters and anyone intrigued by the whispers of its supernatural past.You’ll find us at 40 Old Mill Road, Staten Island, NY 10306.We’re usually open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., though it’s best to check the parish website or give a quick call if you’re planning to catch a special tour or event.Call (718) 351-0900 to learn more about Historic St. Andrew’s Church, a Staten Island landmark with early 18th-century colonial roots, Victorian Gothic charm, a cemetery tied to American saints, three centuries of community life, and a whisper of paranormal mystery-offering visitors a vivid blend of history, architecture, spirituality, and local culture.
