Imagine this location as a farm. That farm belonged to Peter Stuyvesant. Now we stand before Saint Marks Church. It is not just a church. It is a place of continuous religious practice since the 17th century. This makes it the oldest such site in New York City.
In 1651, Peter Stuyvesant bought land for a farm. The Dutch called it a “bouwerij”. By 1660, he had built a family chapel here. Stuyvesant died in 1672. He was buried in a vault under the chapel.
In 1793, Stuyvesant’s great-grandson sold the chapel to the Episcopal Church for one dollar. There was one condition. A new church had to be built. In 1795, they laid the cornerstone for today’s Saint Marks Church. John McComb Jr. built it in the Georgian style. He also built New York City Hall. The church was consecrated on May 9, 1799. Alexander Hamilton helped incorporate St. Marks. It became the first Episcopal parish independent of Trinity Church. By 1807, the church was thriving.
Saint Marks continued to grow in the 1800s. Many notable families called it their spiritual home. These included NYC mayors Philip Hone and Gideon Lee. Also New York State Attorney General Thomas Addis Emmet, Commodore Matthew C. Perry, and Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins.
The building was improved over time. In 1828, the steeple was added. Martin Euclid Thompson and Ithiel Town designed it. In 1835, the Parish Hall was built. In 1836, the sanctuary was renovated. Square pillars were replaced with slender Egyptian Revival pillars. The cast and wrought iron fence was added in 1838.
Around 1858, the cast iron portico was added. James Bogardus likely designed it. He was an innovator in cast iron construction. In 1861, a brick addition was built. James Renwick Jr. designed and supervised it.
In 1966, the Poetry Project and The Film Project were founded here. The Film Project later became the Millennium Film Workshop. In 1975, the Danspace Project was founded.
A fire nearly destroyed Saint Marks in 1978. Citizens formed to save St. Marks. The Preservation Youth Project helped with reconstruction. Harold Edelman supervised it. The restoration was completed in 1986. Edelman designed new stained-glass windows.
Over the years, Dutch dignitaries have visited Saint Marks Church. In 1952, Queen Juliana of the Netherlands came. She laid a wreath at the bust of Petrus Stuyvesant. Queen Wilhelmina and the Dutch government gave the bust in 1915.
Saint Marks has long supported the arts. In 1919, poet Kahlil Gibran joined the Arts Committee. The statues “Aspiration” and “Inspiration” were unveiled. Isadora Duncan danced here in 1922. Martha Graham danced here in 1930.
Starting in 1955, Lower East Side artists held an annual exhibition here. It featured hundreds of artists. In 1964, Sam Shepard’s first two plays were produced at Saint Marks. In 1969, the Electric Liturgy combined liturgy and rock music.
Today, Saint Marks hosts the Poetry Project and Danspace Project. These stage events throughout the year. In 1971, Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye performed here. This launched their rock and roll careers. Richard Foreman’s Ontological-Hysteric Theater was housed here from 1992 to 2010.
Many prominent New Yorkers are buried here. Peter Stuyvesant is among them. Also interred are Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins, and Mayor Philip Hone. A. T. Stewart’s body was stolen and held for ransom.
Saint Marks Church stands as a testament to history. It is a place of worship, art, and community. It continues to evolve. It embraces both its past and its future. Take a moment to appreciate the layers of history within these walls.