Information
Landmark: St. Paul's ChapelCity: New York
Country: USA New York
Continent: North America
St. Paul's Chapel, New York, USA New York, North America
Overview
St. Paul’s Chapel, an Episcopal landmark dating back centuries, stands at 209 Broadway, a short walk north of Wall Street in Lower Manhattan.It belongs to the Trinity Church parish and stands as the oldest church building still standing in Manhattan, its weathered stone echoing centuries of history.St. Paul’s Chapel, completed in 1766, stands as Manhattan’s oldest church still intact, its weathered stone holding more than two centuries of history.Architect Thomas McBean designed it in the Georgian style, with crisp symmetry and tall sash windows.During the Colonial Era, the chapel welcomed countless New Yorkers, among them George Washington, who once knelt in its wooden pews while serving as president.Against the odds, St. Paul’s Chapel stood untouched during the Great New York City Fire of 1776, even as smoke and flames swallowed much of lower Manhattan.Sitting just a few blocks from where the Twin Towers once stood, it gained a deeper historical significance over time.The chapel reflects Georgian design, with balanced proportions, sturdy brick walls, and a quiet elegance that catches the light on its clean lines.Inside, you’ll find wooden pews beneath a soaring vaulted ceiling held up by sturdy timber columns, with 18th‑century touches like box pews and a smooth, dark‑stained wooden pulpit.Sunlight pours through the large arched windows, casting a warm glow across the chapel’s simple yet dignified interior.Inside the chapel, much of what you see is just as it was when first built, from the worn wooden pews to the pale stone walls.St. Paul’s Chapel stands just across the street from the World Trade Center site, so close you could hear sirens echo off its stone walls in the days after 9/11.In the days after September 11, 2001, the chapel became a haven where recovery workers, firefighters, police officers, and volunteers from Ground Zero could rest, sip hot coffee, and gather their strength.“The Little Chapel That Stood”: Due to its survival without any damage and its role in offering support during the recovery efforts, St. Paul’s Chapel earned the affectionate nickname “The Little Chapel That Stood.” Memorial and Exhibits: The chapel houses memorials and exhibits dedicated to the events of 9/11, honoring the victims and the heroic efforts of first responders.Known for standing untouched and offering comfort during recovery, St. Paul’s Chapel became known as “The Little Chapel That Stood.” Inside, visitors find memorials and exhibits that remember 9/11-its loss, and the courage of first responders, echoed in a worn firefighter’s helmet on display.St. Paul’s Chapel is still a lively parish, hosting Episcopal services each week, along with weddings and special gatherings where candlelight flickers against the old stone walls.Outreach: The chapel doubles as a community hub, offering spiritual guidance and hosting cultural events, from quiet prayer circles to lively music nights.You’ll find the visitor center at 209 Broadway, tucked between Fulton and Vesey Streets in Manhattan, New York City.We’re usually open every day from morning until early evening, though times can change-so one day you might catch the doors closing just as the sun dips low.It’s free for everyone to enter, though a small donation-like the clink of coins in a tin-helps keep the place running and events on schedule.Accessibility: You can roll right up to the chapel’s wide front door-it’s fully wheelchair accessible.The World Trade Center Memorial sits just a few steps from St. Paul’s Chapel, where the 9/11 Memorial and Museum quietly honor those lost in the September 11 attacks.Head a few blocks south on Broadway and you’ll reach Trinity Church, its stone spire rising above the street-a centuries-old Episcopal landmark.In the heart of the Financial District, the chapel sits just steps from Wall Street, Federal Hall, and other storied landmarks where the air hums with the rush of midday crowds.St. Paul’s Chapel stands as a striking blend of history and faith in New York City, its stone walls echoing stories from centuries past.With its 18th-century Georgian brickwork, endurance through key chapters of American history, and vital role in the 9/11 recovery, it carries a weight of history you can feel in its quiet halls.
