One of the most significant houses of worship in New York City history is about to receive a $98.6 million renovation that will partially close the church for nearly two years. Trinity Church has long been a landmark to the Financial District, which is why the Church Leadership considers the project vital.
Closure of the building’s nave is expected today, May 7th. The Chapel of All Saints and the churchyard will remain open. The churchyard is where many historical figures are buried, including Eliza Schuyler and Alexander Hamilton, Robert Fulton, and Albert Gallatin.
The renovation will make the church building completely ADA accessible, and will also expand the seating space, adding 140 new seats to the congregation.
West Perspective planned construction, image courtesy the Trinity Church Wall Street
West Perspective’s current condition, image courtesy the Trinity Church Wall Street
The plan will include restoration of the original plans by architect Richard Upjohn. The chancel will return to its original size. The interior walls and ceiling will be painted to the original color.
“Rejuvenating Trinity Church is part of our mission to provide a spiritual home for lower Manhattan – our parishioners, neighbors, workers, and visitors,” said the Reverend Dr. William Lupfer, Rector. “As a vibrant, diverse, and growing congregation, we are excited to undertake this work so that future generations also can cherish this remarkable church.
Trinity Church has been serving the community for over 300 years, having had three church buildings built at the same location throughout that time. The earliest structure was finished in 1698 and destroyed in the Great New York City Fire of 1776. The second building was finished in 1788, and the existing structure was finished in 1846.
New Graveyard Canopy, rendering courtesy the Trinity Church Wall Street
Stained glass windows will be repaired, and a new stained glass will be installed on the church’s Broadway facade, new organs will be installed, and a modest glass and steel canopy on the Southside is going to be built.
Church services are being moved to Saint Paul’s Chapel, as had been done the last two times the congregation was without a building. The majority of the process will be finished by the spring of 2020, when the nave will reopen.
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Please pardon me for using your space: Spirit for human who can’t strong to hard problems. (Good)
I believe the Construction Manager on this project in Sciame Construction (at least they were when i worked for them).
Give the guys a little credit, they have huge projects in NYC and in Tristate area but get zero credit. They are also behind portions of the Highline and Culture Shed.
Has the stained glass already been commissioned? Tom Denny’s is the most exciting I’ve seen in recent years. Worcester and Leicester Cathedrals and St Catherines College Cambridge (UK) have work of his.