Grace Church. A French Gothic Revival masterpiece. Designed by James Renwick Jr. Grace Church stands at 800-804 Broadway. Its location marks where Broadway bends. It aligns with Manhattan’s grid.
Grace Church is a National Historic Landmark. It gained this title due to its architecture. Its place in New York City’s history also contributed. The entire complex is a New York City landmark. It was designated in 1966 and 1977.
Initially, Grace Church began in 1808. Its location was at Broadway and Rector Street. This is the current site of the Empire Building. Rector Thomas House Taylor decided to move the church uptown. He aimed to follow the city’s expanding population.
In 1843, the land was purchased from Henry Brevoort. James Renwick Jr. was commissioned as the architect. He was Brevoort’s nephew. At the time, Renwick’s only completed work was the Bowling Green Fountain.
The cornerstone was laid in 1843. Grace Church was consecrated in 1846. It was designed in the French Gothic Revival style. Sing Sing marble was used. Vestry minutes from January detail expenses. They include costs for workers from Sing Sing prison. These workers cut the stone. They also cover embroidery costs for the altar cloth.
Originally, Grace Church had a wooden spire. It was replaced in 1881 with a marble spire. Renwick designed the new spire. The interior features lath and plaster.
The east window dominates the chancel. Clayton and Bell created it in 1878. Its theme is praise. Figures raise their faces toward Christ. They represent prophets and apostles. They also symbolize martyrs and the world. Henry Holiday created other windows. The reredos shows the Gospel writers. They are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They flank the Risen Christ. He commissions them to make disciples. Renwick designed the reredos and altar. Ellin and Kitson executed it in 1878.
Choir furniture was installed in 1903. Heins and La Farge designed the chancel renovation. A terra-cotta Roman urn stands on the lawn. It dates to the time of Emperor Nero. It stands in front of Renwick’s Grace House.
For years, Grace Church was fashionable. Matthew Hale Smith noted its centrality in 1869. Marriage or burial within its walls was considered the height of felicity.
Grace Church has seen many changes over the years. The sanctuary was built from 1843 to 1846. The rectory followed from 1846 to 1847. The chantry was added in 1878-1879. Grace House was built in 1880-1881. Memorial House was constructed in 1881-1882. The wooden spire was replaced with a marble spire in 1883.
Like Trinity and the First Presbyterian Church, Grace Church built chapels. Its first chapel was on Madison Avenue. The congregation became the Church of the Incarnation in 1852.
Grace Church School was organized in 1894. It was the first place for choir boys to get formal training. The day school began in 1934.
Grace Church offers prayer and Eucharist services. It also provides social services. The church may have provided the first day-care center in New York City. It was located in Renwick’s Memorial House.
The church is known for its Choir of Men and Boys. Its music program is rich. Organ recitals are regular events.