Grace Temple

What secrets does a church hold when it moves? Grace Temple has seen such a journey. Our Grace Temple here in New York City isn’t the first of its name. The original Grace Church began its life in 1808, downtown at Broadway and Rector Street. The city grew, pushing northward, and so did its people. The church, under the guidance of Rector Thomas House Taylor, realized it needed to move too. By 1843, Grace Church had found a new home further uptown. They purchased land from Henry Brevoort Jr., where Broadway meets 10th Street. A young architect, James Renwick Jr., only 25 at the time, designed the new Grace Church. This was Renwick’s first major project. He envisioned a French Gothic Revival style, a bold choice at a time when such architecture was rare in America. The church, built with Sing Sing marble, opened its doors in 1846. It was a simpler structure then. The soaring spire we see today was originally wood, replaced later with marble in 1883. The vibrant stained-glass windows weren’t there at first either, coming later thanks to generous donations. One standout contributor was Catharine Lorillard Wolfe. She funded the chantry, a small chapel for the choir and Sunday school. She also helped connect the church to the rectory. Her biggest gift was the magnificent “Te Deum” window, a stunning work of stained-glass art that replaced the original east window. Her generosity sparked others to donate. Within a decade, most of the church’s windows were vibrant with color, telling stories from the Bible. Grace Church has played many roles. It served as a fashionable place of worship, with pew rentals determining social status. Later, it became a center for social outreach, especially under Rector Henry Codman Potter. He championed the Social Gospel movement. He made the church a haven for immigrants. He provided daycare, job training, and recreational activities. Over the years, Grace Church continued to evolve, adding buildings, establishing a choir school which later became Grace Church School, and expanding its presence along Fourth Avenue. Grace Church remains a vital part of the city. It’s a landmark, a testament to architectural beauty and enduring faith.