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Survey of
Historic Sites and Buildings

	ST. PAUL'S CHURCH New York
Location: Broadway between Fulton and Vesey Streets, New York City. St. Paul's Chapel

Ownership and Administration (1961). Corporation of Trinity Church, 74 Trinity Place, New York City.

Significance. An outstanding example of Georgian architecture, St. Paul's Chapel stands serenely among the skyscrapers of modern New York, the city's sole surviving church of the colonial era. St. Paul's was erected in 1764-66 to serve as the chapel of First Trinity Church, which was destroyed in the great fire of 1776 a few days after the British occupation of the city. New York's royal Governor had a pew in St. Paul's, as did, during the Revolution, Lord Howe, Maj. John Andre, and other officers of the British army of occupation. After Washington's first inauguration, April 30, 1789, the Congress accompanied the new President to St. Paul's for a special service. A painting of the arms of the United States now hangs above Washington's pew.

Present Appearance (1961). St. Paul's was designed by Thomas McBean, who took his inspiration from London's St. Martin's-in-the-Fields. The body of the church, built of native stone, is distinguished by two tiers of arched windows. The Ionic-columned portico and spire were added in 1794-96, when the channel was extended. The 220-foot spire was the work of Architect James C. Lawrence. The spacious interior is a center-barrel vault supported by slender columns, and has a gallery and gallery vaults on each side. The nave has been described as second only to that in King's Chapel, Boston, in architectural interest. In 1950, at a cost of $200,000, St. Paul's was restored to its colonial appearance. The wooden spire was reinforced with steel and the interior of the church was painted in white, gold, and blue. Fourteen Waterford glass chandeliers hang from the vaulted ceiling. [44]