Founded 70-odd years after Dutch settlers first arrived in what is now New York City, Trinity Church is one of the nation’s earliest places of worship. Granted a charter by King William III, the first church building debuted in 1698. Destroyed in the Great New York Fire of 1776, it was soon rebuilt before being reconstructed again in 1846. The version that stands today was designed by architect Richard Upjohn and is renowned for its grand, Gothic Revival spire (which, for a time, made it the tallest building in the United States).
Trinity Church features on numerous New York City tours, including bus tours, walking tours, and driving tours. It’s also visited on Hamilton-themed excursions and 9/11 memorial tours.
Trinity Church has been visited by many luminaries over the years, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
As it’s only a few blocks from Ground Zero, the church was used to shelter people on 9/11, and a memorial pew can be found within.
The church is undergoing a period of renovation between 2018 and 2020 to modernize its facilities, during which its main nave area is closed to visitors.
Tours of the Trinity Churchyard are available upon request and weather permitting.
The neighboring St. Paul’s Chapel, which dates to 1766 and is also part of the Trinity Parish, was once used as a place of worship by George Washington.
Conveniently situated in Lower Manhattan, Trinity Church can be reached via numerous forms of transportation. Take the 1 train to Rector Street, the N, R, or W to Rector Street, the 4 or 5 to Wall Street, or the J to Broad Street. The area is also served by numerous bus lines and can be reached by taxi, by bike, or on foot.
Trinity Church and its churchyard are open daily 7am–6pm. The church hosts a range of services and community events throughout the week, and visitors are welcome to participate, if interested.
For fans of the Hamilton musical, the Trinity Churchyard has become a popular pilgrimage site. Alexander Hamilton and his wife, Elizabeth Schuyler, are buried in its cemetery, as are their son Philip and Schuyler’s sister Angelica. Their graves are now among the church’s top highlights.
