209 Broadway

Saint-Paul’s Chapel was built as a satellite place of worship for Trinity Church located further south on the same street. It was built in 1766 after Saint-George Chapel with the same main objective to increase attendance by improving accessibility and getting closer to the population. It was estimated that there were nearly 50,000 inhabitants in the area at that time. Today, the dark, solidly-rooted spiritual structure at the corner of Broadway and Vesey Streets is Manhattan’s oldest still in use.

Although initially Anglican in vocation, this chapel has long welcomed other local communities; thus moments of multi-spiritual events at the same time or distinct contemplation could take place. Today, the chapel is more of a unifying center that has supported significant historical moments dating back to the period of colonization.

The Chapel had survived a few important events, the first being the major fire of 1776. Thanks to the hard work of residents who brought water from the Hudson River in buckets and dumped it on the roof of the building to protect it. Trinity Church was not so lucky and was destroyed by the flames. Subsequently, Saint-Paul’s chapel became the main home for the ceremonies until the new church was rebuilt.

During this period, the first and only presidential nomination of the United States that took place in New York, was the one of George Washington on April 30, 1789. After his swearing-in at Federal Hall, he headed to St. Paul’s Chapel for a religious service.

The chapel also provided valuable assistance following the attacks of September 11, 2001. After realizing that the structure had resisted, despite the debris on the site, the chapel naturally became the place of rallying, resupply, refreshment, care and rest areas for first responders.

The chapel now hosts various events. You can also visit the site. The interior is neutral with very few religious symbols. I don’t know if it was temporary, but during my visit in May 2023, there was a metal detector at the entrance.

The cemetery is one of the oldest in the district.

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