Located at the intersection of Wall Street and Broadway in the Financial District, Trinity Church has been at the heart of a changing New York for centuries. The old pillar of the rapidly changing neighborhood represents a Downtown New York that no longer exists, one in which this district was not only the financial hub of the city, but also the communal and spiritual center of New York.
The Gothic Trinity Church standing today is actually the third structure to hold the name at this address. The first Trinity Church was burned to the ground, like much of Downtown Manhattan, in the Great New York City Fire of 1776. The second Trinity Church was consecrated in 1790 but was torn down 49 years later due to a weakening of the structure from heavy snows. The third Trinity Church, the one still standing proudly today, was consecrated in 1846. The current structure is often considered one of the finest examples of Neo Gothic architecture in the United States. The structure includes a towering spire that was the highest point in New York for about 45 years until it was inevitably surpassed. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the church is the Cemetery located on the grounds of the church. Alexander Hamilton was buried on church grounds along with other well-known early Americans, some of whose deaths predate the current Trinity Church. Like St. Paul’s Chapel, which is considered a part of the Trinity congregation, Trinity Church played an important role in the events and aftermath of the attacks of September 11, 2001. The church provided refuge for people fleeing the debris as the towers collapsed and was important in providing religious and support services to the recovery effort workers.
New York Habitat’s accommodations in the Financial District fill quickly during the summer and spring season, visitors looking to stay in Downtown Manhattan should get their search started soon. Below are a few choice apartments to get your search going:
– This 1 Bedroom Rental in Financial District (NY-15423) is located in a building that features a fitness center and a rooftop terrace with pleasant views on the city!
– This 1-bedroom apartment rental apartment in Battery Park, New York (NY-14403) offers breath-taking views of the New York harbor and the Statue of Liberty through its wall-to-wall windows, and a modern living room with designer furniture.
Be sure to come back next week to discover the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, ranked #4 on our Top 5 New York City Churches! And Let us know if you have been to New York’s Trinity Church in the comments section below.
Photo from Wikipedia Author Gryffindor
The financial district is really a beautiful part of New York City. I love it in the summertime.
I love the mixture of modern buildings and old buildings and churches. The financial district is a really unique area of New York.