The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-12-28
Three New York Landmarks.
From the New York sun,


Three landmarks on Broadway occupy
sites so valuable that their retention con-
POUNDS every calculation Of real estate spec
ulators They are the onl y three churches
on Broadway below Forty street,
and each has come TO be part Of
the popular distinction of that thorough
fare. They are Trinity, st. Pauls and
Grace. All three have high claims to ar
chitectural eminence. and all three are of
one denomination-the Protestant Episco-
pal.
The site of Trinity church, on Broad
way at the head of Wall street is ap
praised officially at 81, 900, 900; that OF
St Paul S church. at Broadway and Full
ton street, at 81, $50, 900, and that Of
Grace church, Broadway opposite Eleventh
street. at $3.50, 600. The frontage OF
Trinity church, including the churchyard,
is -tO6 feet, of St Paul S church l67 feet
and of Grace church 80 feet. The gross
valuation of these three churches is So
100, 900. and as the usual rate of assess
ment on real estate is about 60 per cent
the actual market value of these three
Broadway plots is in excess Of $40, 600, :
600. In European cities it is no strange
thing for public thoroughfares to be dotted
with venerable edifces erected for eccles-
iastical, military or governmental purposes,
but in New York, where there is no ma
terial partnership between church and state,
and where, perhaps, more utilitarlan views
prevail than abroad. the steady enhance
ment of real estate values has been such
that few religious corporations have been
strong enough or felt themselves strong
enough to Withstand the temptation to sell.
On the present site of Tiffany 5, fer in
stance, Broadway and Fifteenth street,
formerly church stood There was a
chapel opposite the site Of the old New
York hotel. But with the advance OF
business interests the congregations reluc-
family moved away. These three land
marks named have stood their ground, ano
it seems probable that they will continue
to do So
St. Paul 5 church is the oldest religious
edifce in this city. 1t was built in 1864,
and it was the church which George Wash.
ington and his associates attended imme.
diately following the inauguration cere
monies in 1899. Trinity church is the
third of that name on the present site, anC
was erected in 1916. Grace church wa'
erected in 1915. one year before Trinity
and the site. at the head OF Broadway
where it turns an angle at Tenth street
was carefully chosen. All three building.
enjoy the advantage of being kept in eX
cellent repair, and are improved from time
to time by the liberal contributions of bene
factors. This is especially true of Trinity
and Grace churches, which may almost be
said to improve year by year. 1t is pc
culiarity of these three landmarks of New
York those who attend them come, IL
nearly every case, from sections Of th'
city far up town, so that they are, if suct
an expression may be used, the thre
churches to be reached by carriage. Yer.
few persons who attend either Trinity 0
St. Paul 5 reside in their vicinity, and tn
number Of such parishioners decrease eacl
year. Grace church retains its high ranI
architecturally, Notwithstanding the mum
Der of new church buildings in New York
and it has the additional distinction q
being popular for fashionable weddings.