Consider the grandeur before you. This is Saint Thomas Episcopal Church. It stands as a testament to faith and architectural ambition.
Saint Thomas Church is an Episcopal parish church. It graces 53rd Street and Fifth Avenue. This prime Midtown Manhattan location reflects its importance. The parish dates back to January 9 1824.
But this current Saint Thomas Church is not the first. It is the congregation’s fourth iteration. The architectural firm of Cram Goodhue and Ferguson designed it. Ralph Adams Cram and Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue were the lead architects. They employed the French High Gothic Revival style. Construction concluded in 1914. It cost $1171906.44. That equates to about $35647759 in 2023.
The church has a rich history. Its origins trace back to three Lower Manhattan Episcopal parishes. These parishes collaborated in 1823. They sought to establish a new church. Notable figures like William Backhouse Astor and Charles King spearheaded the effort.
The first Saint Thomas Church stood at Broadway and Houston Street. It opened in 1826. But fire destroyed it in 1851. A second church rose on the same site. By the 1860s the neighborhood changed. The congregation decided to move uptown.
A third Saint Thomas Church emerged at 53rd Street and Fifth Avenue. Richard Upjohn and his son designed it. The congregation occupied it in 1870. This Saint Thomas Church boasted a 260-foot tower. But tragedy struck again. Fire consumed it in 1905. Only the tower remained.
The present Saint Thomas Church arose from the ashes. Cram and Goodhue won an architectural competition. Their design triumphed over entries by notable architects. The cornerstone was laid in 1911. The doors opened to congregants in 1913. Consecration followed in 1916.
Look at the facade. It is French High Gothic. The exterior surfaces are plain ashlar limestone. The main entrance is asymmetrical. A square tower rises to the south. A narrower section marks the north aisle.
Inside Saint Thomas Church spans 214 feet long. It is 100 feet wide. The building rises 95 feet high. Lee Lawrie designed the sculptures and decorations.
The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys calls this church home. This ensemble performs Anglican music. They enhance worship services. The choir presents a full concert series. The Saint Thomas Choir School is affiliated with the church. It is the sole church-affiliated residential choir school in the United States.
In 2020 modern technology arrived. A gift enabled the installation of a camera system. A dozen 360-degree cameras now capture services. Online attendance has surged. During Advent and Christmas 2022 online participation reached 38000.
Saint Thomas Church stands not just as a building. It embodies faith resilience and architectural beauty. Its story continues to unfold enriching New York City’s cultural landscape.