Very few places in New York have witnessed the history that St. Paul’s Chapel has. The Episcopal Church is known for its survival of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, which was across the street from the church, as well as its outreach to the people involved in the recovery. However, the church’s history goes back to a time well before 9-11; a time when the American Revolution was still a decade away.
St. Paul’s Chapel was completed in 1766, and at the time of its construction, was considered to be "on the edge of town," as the city of New York mainly lay to the south of the church’s location. It’s hard to believe today that this church was once almost out in the country! Unlike Boston and Philadelphia, where colonial structures abound, St. Paul’s is one of the few remaining buildings in Manhattan from that period. Today it stands not only as the city’s sole remaining colonial church, but as the city’s oldest public building in continuous use.
During the years that New York served as the nation’s capital, President George Washington regularly attended services here, including a service on Inauguration Day in 1789. Other noted individuals who have worshiped at St. Paul’s include the first governor of the New York, several members of the British royalty, and several former US presidents. And, in 1831, the funeral for President James Monroe was held here.
Had the attacks of September 11, 2001 never occurred, St. Paul’s would still occupy a very historic place in this great city. However, it is the events of that day, and what transpired afterward, that gave this 238-year-old church a significant position in modern history. Despite being across the street from the World Trade Center, St. Paul’s survived the collapse of the massive towers without a single broken window. A large sycamore tree in the churchyard cushioned the force of the collapsing towers, saving the structure. The trunk of the shredded tree has since been preserved as evidence of the destruction of that day.
By September 15 the church began its ministry to the rescue workers. Without electricity, the first meals were cooked on portable grills. By October 1, the church had organized a formal ministry to aid the relief workers, setting up a schedule to provide chaplain, counseling, and meal services to the workers. The chapel became an oasis of rest, mediation, and renewal for the aid workers, and services were provided 24 hours a day for 8 months.
Since 2001, St. Paul’s has continued operation as part of the parish of Trinity Church. It also serves as a memorial to those who died across the street on September 11, 2001 and the relief workers who served for 8 months following the attacks to assist in the recovery efforts.
For more information on St. Paul’s Chapel, visit their website, and my freeform entry, "Reflections on an Emotional Journey to Ground Zero."