Ever since my college days, when I was dragging my first SLR camera around the streets of Europe, church architecture has always fascinated me.

When we happened upon Manhattan’s Trinity Church (Trinity Wall Street), perched upon the head of Wall Street, there was no question that my camera was yearning to capture some of the stunningly beautiful classic Gothic Revival architecture.

See what I found!

Since its founding by charter of King William III of England in 1697, the Parish of Trinity Church has played a pivotal role in the religious life of New York City and the earliest days of our nation. Trinity has ministered to the needs of the poor and disadvantaged since the 1700s when it started the city’s first ministry to African-Americans, both enslaved and free. During the 19th and 20th centuries, Trinity offered special ministries to meet the needs and hopes of successive waves of immigrants who poured into New York. Throughout the years, the parish has started, endowed, or aided churches, schools, hospitals, and other institutions around the world.

There have been three Trinity Church buildings at Broadway and Wall Street. The present Trinity Church, designed by Richard Upjohn and consecrated in 1846, is considered a classic example of Gothic Revival architecture and is a National Historic Landmark. The church features some of the earliest examples of stained glass in the United States, as well as Astor family commissions including a marble altar and reredos and beautiful bronze doors with sculpted reliefs. The original burial ground at Trinity Church includes the graves and memorials of many historic figures, including Alexander Hamilton, William Bradford, Robert Fulton, and Albert Gallatin.

The other thing that happens to me, when I stand in such a structure, is to belt out a little of Handel’s Air for Bass: The Trumpet Shall Sound (Handel’s Messiah).  I had the extreme privilege of singing in a few of Europe’s cathedrals.  The sound bounces around in there forever.  It’s cool!

What thoughts go through your mind when you stand in such a beautiful structure?

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