How about a journey back in time to when Trinity Church was not just a church, but a record-breaker. Trinity Church has been at the heart of New York City for over 300 years. It is more than just a religious building. It’s a landmark that has witnessed the city’s evolution.
The story of Trinity Church begins with a small group of Anglicans. They wanted to establish their own parish in the mercantile colony of New York. In 1696, they sought a charter from Royal Governor Benjamin Fletcher. He granted it in 1697 on behalf of King William III. The first Trinity Church was erected on Wall Street in 1698. It faced west toward the Hudson River.
To ensure its prosperity, Governor Fletcher granted Trinity Church a lease. It was on a tract of land known as the King’s Farm. This land stretched from Fulton Street to Christopher Street. It also went from Greenwich Street to Broadway. In 1705, Queen Anne made this land grant permanent. She gave the church 215 acres to support its mission.
By 1750, New York City’s population had more than doubled. Trinity Church constructed St. George’s Chapel in 1752. In 1766, with New York’s population nearing 20000, Trinity built St. Paul’s Chapel.
The first Trinity Church building met its end during the Revolutionary War. It was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1776. A second church opened in 1790. George Washington attended the consecration ceremony. He and his government regularly worshiped there.
The second church stood until 1839. Heavy snow caused the roof’s support beams to collapse. Richard Upjohn rebuilt the church. The third Trinity Church was consecrated in 1846. It became a Neo-Gothic masterpiece.
For 23 years, Trinity Church was the tallest building in the United States. Its steeple soared to 281 feet. It remained the tallest building in New York City until 1890.
Trinity’s parish has included eleven chapels over its history. Some served scattered communicants. Others furthered missionary work. Most chapels became independent in 1976. St. Paul’s Chapel remains part of Trinity Church. Over its history, Trinity aided more than 300 churches. This earned it the title “mother of churches.”
Trinity Church’s charter granted by King William III in 1697, is its incorporation document. It establishes the rules of a Vestry and the succession of Rectors. It even states that Trinity is responsible for paying a nominal rent. This rent is in the form of one peppercorn annually to the Crown.
Queen Elizabeth visited in 1976. The then-Rector, Dr. Robert Parks, presented Her Majesty with 279 years of back rent. This was in the form of 279 peppercorns.
Trinity Churchyard holds the remains of Alexander Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton. Other famous burials include Robert Fulton and Albert Gallatin.
The oldest burial documented is that of Richard Churcher. He died in 1681 at the age of 5. Trinity Church wasn’t founded until 1697. The North Churchyard had always been a burial ground.
Trinity Church also owns the rights to shipwrecks and drift whales. In 1696, Royal Governor Benjamin Fletcher stated that they become property of Trinity Church. The patent has never been enacted.
So, as you stand here today, remember that you’re not just seeing a beautiful church. You’re witnessing a living piece of New York City history.