A majestic structure stands before you. This is the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St Sava. It wasn’t always Serbian Orthodox though.
The Cathedral’s story begins much earlier. It was once Trinity Chapel an Episcopal church. Built between 1850 and 1855 it served the uptown Episcopalian community. Architect Richard Upjohn designed it in the Gothic Revival style. He was quite the talent. He also designed the current Trinity Church.
Trinity Chapel thrived for decades. It even held a significant moment in American history. In 1865 the first Orthodox Liturgy in America was held within its walls. Edith Wharton the famous writer even married there in 1885. Its social standing was high.
But times changed. The neighborhood around Trinity Chapel became more commercial. The congregation dwindled. The building fell into disrepair.
Then in 1942 a Serbian Orthodox congregation bought the building. It reopened in 1944 as the Cathedral of St Sava. It became the first Serbian Orthodox church on the East Coast.
The Serbs made changes. They added a hand-carved oak iconostasis in 1962. This beautiful structure holds icons from the Monastery of St Naum in Ohrid. They were painted by Ivan Meljnikov a Russian iconographer.
Sadly in 2016 a massive fire devastated the Cathedral. Most of the building was destroyed. However the stone walls remained. They were structurally sound. The parish decided to rebuild.
They faced challenges. A lawsuit with their insurer delayed things. But the Serbian community persevered. In February 2023 a liturgy was held within the partially rebuilt shell.
Today you see the results of their efforts. The Cathedral of St Sava stands as a testament to faith resilience and the enduring spirit of the Serbian community in New York City. It is a place of worship a cultural landmark and a powerful symbol of hope.