The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-11-03
History and Description of Trinity Church


The splendid edlfice called Trinity Church, now
in the course of erection in Broadway is so far ad
vanced, that the workmen have commenced putting
the rafters on for the roof and the tower has pro-
crossed about 100 feet high. But before we enter
into description OF this beautiful building will
give slight history Of the Corporation of Trinity
Church, and their various ediices.
In the early days Of the Colony of New York the
members of the Protestant Episcopal Church Chen
known as the Church of England in Amerca,) first
held stated religious service in this city, in chapel
attached TO fort which stood near the resent Bat
terry. In this place, under the Dutch administration
the service Of the Church of Holland had been per-
formed. On the surrender OF the colony of New
York to the British, in 1861, the service of the
Church of England-it being a government esta-
blishment-was, of course, introduced. The con-
gregaton, however, increasing, Trinity Church
was founded the spot where the present church is
building in 1896, In the reign OF William and Mary.
The Rector, the Rev. William Vesey, afterwards,
and for many years, the Bishop of London's Com
missary first performed divine service it, Februa-
ry 6, 1877. 1t was originally small square edifce;
and enlarged at the east end in 1875, and again
on the north and south sides in 1887. Its length
was then, including the tower and chance,
one hundred and forty-six feet, its width
seventy-two feet, and the steeple one hundred and
eighty feet high. The steeple was struck by light
ming in the summer of 1852 but little damage, how
ever, was done. On the twenty-frst of September,
l776, in the memorable fire which laid waste so
great portion OF the city, this venerable and ma
jestic edifce was destroyed. 1t lay In ruins during
the remainder of the Revolutionary war, and was
replaced by the recent structure, which was con-
secrated by the Right Rev. Bishop Provost, in 1871
This building was inferior in size to the first one ;
being one hundred and four feet long, and =
two wide The steeple was about the same height
as the old one but stood the east instead OF the
west end, as was the case with the former church,
and is still the case with Saint Paus Chapel; this
method having been adopted with the view Of
bringing the chaneel, and the great atar-window,
agreeably to ancient ideas of proprety, on the east
end. The style of the building was plain Gothic
1t had galleries on the two sides, and OH the east
end, part OF the last OF which formed the organ
loft, in which was placed fine organ, built in Lon
don soon after the church was finished. The gale
ries were supported by square pannelled columns !;
directly each of which rose clustered Gothic
column of the roof. The cellng consisted of three
From the centre arch were suspended three large
and elegant cut glass chandeliers, and four smaller
ones under each gallery The windows were long,
finished at the top with the pointed Gothic arch,
and glazed with very small panes. The Commu-
MON table was placed against the western wall Of
the church and above was one of the largest win
dows in the United States. 1t was Gothic with
three com ,artments, and contained one thousand
and thirtynine panes of glass The desk and pulpit
were directly in front of the chancel, without the
rails The church was ornsmented with a number
of handsome marble monuments among which
were one to the memory Of General Alexander
Hamilton, and one to that OF the late Jacob Sher-
red, Esq, the munIfcent patron of the Episcopal
Theological Seminary and the beautiful and
chaste statue Of Bishop Hobart.
The cemetery in which the church was
erected, is one OF the most ancient in the city,
having been the resting place of successive genera
tons for upwards of one hundred and thirty years.
A few fine old trees on the street ana grounds near
the church added to the beautiful and impressive
appearance resulting from he style and proportions
of the building. The number OF these trees has OF
late diminished by the decay of several OF them
from some unknown cause. Others, however, and
more than an equal number, have been ADDED,
walch in due time may be expected TO contribute
their full effect The front view of the b ildIng,
from w all street. was very generally admired. The
steeple contained ring OF eight hne bells at one
time which have been distributed TO various
churches throughout the country.
Such is the history OF the first two churches con
nec;ed with the parish OF st. Trinity. The one
built in 1867, and destroyed in l776; the othe
built In 1901, and pulled down in 1889 The fol
lowing inscription is on marble slab in the office
Of the architect, Mr.. Upohn taken out oil the las