Grace Church, New York City

Grace Church, New York City
Name	Grace Church
Caption	Grace Church, Broadway at 10th Street
Denomination	Episcopal Church (United States)
Diocese	Episcopal Diocese of New York
Founded	1808
Architect	James Renwick Jr.
Style	Gothic Revival
Location	802 Broadway, Manhattan, New York City
Rector	The Rev. J. Donald Waring

Grace Church, New York City. Grace Church is a historic Episcopal parish located at the intersection of Broadway and East 10th Street in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan. Founded in 1808, the parish is renowned for its landmark Gothic Revival building designed by architect James Renwick Jr., its influential clergy, and its long-standing traditions of liturgical music and education. The church complex, which includes the adjacent Grace Church School and a clergy house, forms a significant architectural and cultural enclave in downtown New York City.

History

The parish was established in 1808 by congregants from Trinity Church who sought a new house of worship further uptown, then in the rural Broadway corridor. The congregation initially worshiped in a modest structure on Broadway and Rector Street near Wall Street. Under the leadership of rector Thomas House Taylor, the parish purchased land at the bend of Broadway and East 10th Street in 1843, a then-fashionable residential area. The current church building was consecrated in 1846, cementing the parish's presence in what would become Greenwich Village. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Grace Church ministered to a wealthy and influential flock, including members of the Astor family and Alexander Turney Stewart, while also engaging in outreach through its Grace Church Mission and supporting institutions like the New York City Rescue Mission.

Architecture

The church is a premier example of early Gothic Revival architecture in the United States, designed by the prominent architect James Renwick Jr., who later designed St. Patrick's Cathedral. Constructed of white Sing Sing marble, the building features a 200-foot spire, a cruciform plan, and elaborate tracery in its windows. The interior is noted for its carved choir stalls, reredos by the firm of J. & R. Lamb Studios, and a chancel elevated above a undercroft. The complex expanded with the addition of the Gothic-style Grace Church School building and a rectory designed by Renwick, Aspinwall & Owen, further defining the iconic streetscape. The entire site was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977 and is part of the Greenwich Village Historic District.

Rectors and notable clergy

The spiritual life and influence of the parish have been shaped by a succession of notable rectors. Thomas House Taylor, rector from 1834 to 1868, oversaw the construction of the current church and expanded the parish's reach. He was succeeded by Henry Codman Potter, who later became the Bishop of New York and a prominent voice on social issues during the Gilded Age. Other significant rectors include William Reed Huntington, a liturgist influential in revising the Book of Common Prayer, and more recently, J. Donald Waring. Distinguished assistant clergy have included Phillips Brooks, later the Bishop of Massachusetts and author of "O Little Town of Bethlehem".

Music and choir

Music has been a central ministry since the 19th century, with the church maintaining a professional choir of men and boys modeled on the English cathedral tradition. Early organists included composers like J. B. Dykes and Horatio W. Parker. The music program is sustained by the Choir of Grace Church, which sings at weekly services and tours internationally. The church houses a notable pipe organ, originally built by Henry Erben and later rebuilt by the Aeolian-Skinner and M. P. Möller companies. The choir school was historically associated with the Choir School of St. Thomas Church.

Grace Church School

Founded in 1894, Grace Church School is an independent, co-educational day school serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Originally a choir school for the boys of the parish choir, it evolved into a full academic institution. The school occupies several buildings within the parish complex, including the historic Gothic structure at 86 Fourth Avenue. The school maintains a close relationship with the parish, with students regularly participating in chapel services, while operating under its own board of trustees. Notable alumni include author John Hersey and actor James Cagney.

In popular culture

The distinctive architecture and location of the church have made it a frequent filming site and cultural reference point. It has appeared in films such as *Spider-Man* and *The Age of Innocence*, and in television series like *Gossip Girl*. The church and its serene courtyard are also featured in the opening sequence of the classic television show *The Mary Tyler Moore Show*. Its spire is a recognizable landmark in depictions of the Greenwich Village skyline in various media.

Category:Churches in Manhattan Category:National Historic Landmarks in New York City Category:Gothic Revival church buildings in New York City