St. Paul's Chapel

St. Paul's Chapel is New York's oldest public building in continuous use

New York's oldest public building in continuous use, St. Paul's Chapel, opened in 1766 and is still an active part of Trinity Church. Completed in 1766, the Georgian chapel was spared from the fire that consumed lower Manhattan that same year by the heroic efforts by a bucket brigade. In the aftermath of the fire, St. Paul's Chapel served as a refuge and relief centre for hundreds of homeless New Yorkers, a role it reprised 225 years later in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Memorials and items sent to encourage the rescue workers during New York City's darkest days are still on display in an interactive exhibit.

While New York was the nation's capital from 1788 to 1790, St. Paul's congregation included George Washington and many of the founding fathers who were drawn to the intimate chapel. Visitors to St. Paul's Chapel can see Washington's original church pew and an exquisite 18th century oil painting of the Great Seal of the United States.

Surrounding St. Paul's Chapel, a churchyard with pre-Revolutionary War graves and memorials to Revolutionary War heroes. Interments ceased in the beginning of the 19th century and recently underwent a restoration in 2002 to remove damaging debris that blanketed the cemetery following September 11, 2001. The Bell of Hope, a gift from St. Paul's sister church in London was installed following the restoration to commemorate the events at the World Trade Center and the parish's mission work.

Today, St. Paul's Chapel is an active part of the Trinity Church parish holding daily mass, concerts lectures welcoming visitors from all backgrounds. The practice of daily Prayers for Peace and Reconciliation rose out of the community's need for healing in the aftermath of 9/11 and continues daily at midday.

Cost: Free, Fees may apply for activities. Please see websites for details.

Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm; Sunday 7:00am - 3:30pm

Website: Saint Paul's Chapel

Address: Broadway and Fulton Street

Nearby attractions: Trinity Church, Financial District, National Museum of the American Indian, Skyscraper Museum, Battery Park, Staten Island Ferry

Getting There on Transit
Subway Train / Bus	Subway Station	Walking Time
E	World Trade Center	2 minutes
4 or 5	Fulton Street	2 minutes
Take the E train to the World Trade Center, head southwest on Vessey Street, turn left on Church Street, turn right on Broadway (2 minutes) or 4 or 5 train to Fulton Street, walk north on Broadway (2 minutes)