Wall Street’s historic Trinity Church will partially close during a two-year, $99M renovation

The Trinity Church, whose history in New York City dates back 300 years, will partially close beginning Monday for a two-year, $98.6 million renovation of its nave, the main part of the church. As its first major revitalization in over 70 years, the landmarked church’s project will restore parts of the original 1846 Gothic Revival style designed by Richard Upjohn. This includes rebuilding the chancel to its original size, increasing capacity by 140 seats and painting the interior walls and ceilings to reflect the original stone design. The reconstruction will move services and events at the Episcopal parish to nearby St. Paul’s Chapel, but the Chapel of All Saints and the churchyard, where Alexander Hamilton is buried, will remain open throughout the project.

Postcard of Trinity Church ca. 1900 via Wikipedia

Before and after images show the renovation from a western perspective

“Rejuvenating Trinity Church is part of our mission to provide a spiritual home for lower Manhattan – our parishioners, neighbors, workers, and visitors,” Rev. Dr. William Lupfer said in a statement. “As a vibrant, diverse, and growing congregation, we are excited to undertake this work so that future generations also can cherish this remarkable church.”

The rebuilt chancel altar

The project includes repairing and restoring the stained-glass windows, installing new organs and redesigning both the entrance and the pews to make them more accessible and ADA compliant. A glass and steel canopy will hang along the South side of the church.

The charter for the first Trinity Church was granted in 1697, rising at the head of Wall Street across from the Hudson River. This building was destroyed in a fire during the Revolutionary War in 1776 and underwent construction during 1839; Trinity used St. Paul’s for services during both closures.

The church’s last renovation took place in 1945. The project is expected to be mostly complete by the spring of 2020, if not sooner.

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All images/ renderings via Trinity Church Wall Street