Stop #4 Trinity Church

Trinity Church

Talia Stewart and Blair Haworth

*On top is a bird's eye view of Trinity Church in 1846. On the bottom is the location of Trinity Church, which is located between Broadway and Wall Street*

Imagine a tremendous space filled with beautiful stained glass and stunning architecture. Where do you think you are? Trinity Church. The famous landmark of Trinity Church has been altered over many years; however, it has maintained its cultural significance and unique architecture throughout.

Background:

The first anglican church, Trinity Church, was formed by a royal charter from King William III on Many 6, 1697. Throughout the colonial period and the start of the nineteenth century, the parish included many churches in Manhattan. After the first service was conducted in a church on Broadway and Wall Street, Queen Anne of Great Britain increased the parish's land to 215 acres. In 1696, Governor Benjamin Fletcher approved the purchase of land by the Anglican community in order to build the first church, which was finally built 2 years later. Unfortunately, the church was destroyed by a fire in 1776, which was 6 days after most or all of the city's firemen followed Washington north. Once the British evacuated the colonies at the end of the revolution, the charter of the anglican church in 1784 no longer had ties with England. The denomination of the church today is episcopal. The second trinity church was consecrated in 1790 but then destroyed after structural problems in 1839. Finally the church that stands today was built in 1846.

What was the reason for building Trinity Church?

The Anglicans not only wanted to create a religious monument that would provide guidance to their people, but the church was also created with the intentions of having something significant that they made themselves and could call their own. Trinity Church demonstrates the importance of Anglicans during the American Revolution.  

What is the architectural significance of Trinity Church?

The picture above depicts the inside of Trinity Church.  After the church was destroyed in the fire of 1776 and demolished again in 1839, a new one was built in 1846.  The church that still stands today was designed by Richard Upjohn in a Gothic Revival style.  This style draws directly from original Gothic decorative patterns such as lancet windows, hood moldings, and label stops. The term Gothic Revival refers to the literary and aesthetic movement during the 1830s and 1840s, and this was concurrent in England.  Gothic architecture instills the goodness from past medieval times to mask wickedness because during the medieval times there was an interest in presumed "goodness".  

What is Trinity Church used for today?

Trinity Church is still used for religious ceremonies/services and is available for weddings and special events such as baptisms. The church also contains a historical museum about the history of the church and guided tours that occur daily. Trinity Church is also rich in musical happenings. There are multiple choirs that meet and perform regularly and the church hosts many classical or contemporary concerts yearly.

Links for Pictures:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity_Church_(Manhattan) 

https://www.trinitywallstreet.org/

https://www.google.com/search?q=trinity+church+nyc&safe=strict&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAmoVChMI5Zq1lJPlyAIVSzI-Ch3Bnw2P&biw=1282&bih=740#imgrc=NvADcx74qUCDOM%3A