St. Paul’s Chapel, NYC: Tickets and Info

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Good to Know Before Visiting St. Paul’s Chapel

Admission to the chapel and churchyard is free of charge for all visitors as it is a public house of worship.

All guests must pass through a security screening and a metal detector before entering the grounds.

Large suitcases, carry-ons, and bulky backpacks are not permitted inside and there is no on-site storage available.

The chapel is an active parish, so visitors should remain quiet and respectful of those who are there to pray.

Photography is generally allowed for personal use, but the use of flash, tripods, or professional filming equipment is prohibited.

George Washington’s original pew is located on the north side of the interior and is clearly marked for public viewing.

Food and beverages are strictly prohibited inside the sanctuary to help preserve the historic 18th-century architecture.

The churchyard typically closes earlier than the chapel interior, so plan to arrive before 4 pm to see the historic monuments.

Service animals are the only pets permitted inside the building and must remain on a leash at all times.

Public restrooms are available on the premises but are limited, so it is advisable to use facilities in the nearby Oculus if traveling in a large group.

Essential Visitor Info

Timings
Address & Directions
Facilities
Accessibility

St. Paul's Chapel with One World Trade Center. Photo: Leo Sorel

The chapel and its historic grounds are open to the public daily. While the interior provides a space for reflection and historical exploration, the churchyard offers a unique perspective on the city’s colonial past.

Chapel Interior: 8:30 AM - 6 PM daily

Churchyard and Cemetery: 8:30 AM - 4 PM daily

Labyrinth at St. Paul's Chapel. Photo: Leo Sorel

St. Paul's Chapel is situated in the heart of Lower Manhattan, directly across from the World Trade Center site. Its central location makes it easily accessible from all five boroughs and major transit hubs.

Address: 209 Broadway New York, NY 10007

By Subway: The New York City Subway is the most efficient way to reach the chapel. Several major lines stop within a short walking distance of the entrance.

Fulton Street Station (A, C, J, Z, 2, 3, 4, 5 lines): This is the closest major transit hub. Exit toward Broadway and walk one block north to reach the chapel.

World Trade Center Station (E line): Provides direct access to the west side of the chapel grounds.

Cortlandt Street / WTC Cortlandt (N, R, W, 1 lines): These stations are located just steps away from the chapel's main gates on Broadway and Church Street.

By Bus: Multiple bus routes serve the Financial District and stop near the chapel, providing a convenient alternative to the subway.

M55 (Northbound/Southbound): Stops along Broadway and Church Street directly adjacent to the chapel.

M9 and M22: Provide service to the nearby City Hall and Park Row areas, approximately a five-minute walk from the chapel.

By PATH Train: For visitors traveling from New Jersey, the PATH train offers direct service to the World Trade Center Transportation Hub (Oculus). From the Oculus, follow signs for the Broadway or Church Street exits; the chapel is located immediately across the street.

By Car and Parking: While driving to Lower Manhattan is possible, it is generally discouraged due to heavy traffic and limited street parking. If you choose to drive, several commercial parking garages are available in the surrounding area.

Nearby Garages: Paid parking facilities can be found on Barclay Street, Murray Street, and Greenwich Street.

Drop-off Point: The most convenient location for taxi or rideshare drop-offs is the corner of Broadway and Fulton Street.

St. Paul's Chapel with memorial banners, October 24, 2001. Photo: Leo Sorel

St. Paul’s Chapel is equipped to accommodate both worshippers and the high volume of tourists who visit the historic site daily. The primary facilities include a visitor welcome area where staff and volunteers are available to answer historical questions and provide site maps.

For those attending for reflection, the chapel provides designated quiet areas and prayer pews separate from the main tourist flow.

While the chapel is a historic structure, it has been modernized to include essential public amenities. Restrooms are available on-site for visitors, though they are limited in number due to the building's age.

It is important to note that the chapel does not offer luggage storage or coat check services; all personal belongings must remain with the visitor throughout their stay and must pass through security screening at the entrance.

St. Paul's Chapel Porch, September 2001. Photo: Leo Sorel

St. Paul’s Chapel is committed to ensuring that all visitors can experience its history and spiritual atmosphere.

The site is fully ADA-compliant, featuring a level-access entrance that allows wheelchair users and those with limited mobility to enter the chapel and the churchyard without navigating stairs.

The main entrance on Broadway is equipped with ramps where necessary, and the interior floor plan is open and flat, providing easy maneuverability for strollers and mobility aids.

Within the chapel, the "Unwavering Spirit" exhibit and George Washington’s pew are located on the ground level, ensuring they are accessible to all guests.

For visitors with visual or hearing impairments, the chapel provides clear signage and printed materials to assist with self-guided tours.

Service animals are permitted on the grounds and inside the building in accordance with federal law.

Accessible restroom facilities are also available on the premises to accommodate guests with specific physical requirements.

About St. Paul’s Chapel

St. Paul's Chapel Interior. Photo: Colin Winterbottom

Completed in 1766, St. Paul’s Chapel stands as a rare surviving example of late Georgian church architecture in the United States. Designed by architect Thomas McBean, the chapel was originally established as a secondary place of worship for the growing congregation of Trinity Church. Its historical significance was solidified in 1789 when George Washington attended services here following his first inauguration, a tradition that linked the chapel to the foundations of the American government. Today, the interior remains a museum of colonial craftsmanship, featuring original Waterford crystal chandeliers and hand-carved woodwork that have been meticulously preserved for over two centuries.

In the modern era, the chapel gained global recognition as "The Little Chapel That Stood" for its remarkable survival during the collapse of the nearby World Trade Center towers. Despite its proximity to Ground Zero, the building suffered no structural damage, shielded in part by a massive sycamore tree in the churchyard. For the nine months following the attacks, the chapel transformed into a 24-hour relief center, providing physical and spiritual nourishment to thousands of recovery workers and first responders. This dual identity as both a Revolutionary War-era landmark and a symbol of contemporary resilience makes it one of the most visited and revered sites in New York City.

Architectural Style: Georgian Classicism

Area: 0.94 acres

Date Completed: 1766

Architect: Thomas McBean

Capacity: Approximately 400 people

Why Visit St. Paul’s Chapel?

New York City’s Oldest Surviving Church

Completed in 1766, St. Paul’s Chapel is the oldest public building in continuous use in Manhattan. Its Georgian architecture provides a rare physical link to the colonial era, offering visitors a glimpse of the city as it existed before the American Revolution.

The Connection to George Washington

On the day of his inauguration in 1789, George Washington came to this chapel to pray for the future of the new nation. Today, visitors can view the original pew where the first president sat, marking the chapel as a cornerstone of American executive history.

The "Little Chapel That Stood"

During the events of September 11, 2001, the chapel remained remarkably unscathed despite being located directly across from the World Trade Center. It became a vital 24-hour relief center for recovery workers, and it remains a powerful symbol of resilience and sanctuary in the heart of the Financial District.

Historical Artifacts and Memorials

The interior houses significant exhibits, including the Bell of Hope, which was a gift from the City of London following the 9/11 attacks. You will also find an array of tributes and artifacts that honor the volunteers and first responders who worked at Ground Zero.

A Historic Churchyard in Urban Manhattan

The surrounding churchyard is a peaceful green space that serves as the final resting place for several notable historical figures, including Revolutionary War heroes. It offers a stark, contemplative contrast to the modern skyscrapers and bustling streets of Lower Manhattan.

St. Paul's Chapel - Additional Info

Dining
Souvenir Store

Firemen outside St. Paul's Chapel, September 11, 2001. Photo: James Wheeldon

St. Paul’s Chapel does not have an on-site cafe or restaurant, and food and drinks are not permitted inside the sanctuary to preserve the historic interior.

However, its location at the intersection of the Financial District and Tribeca puts visitors within walking distance of a vast array of dining options.

The neighboring World Trade Center complex and the Oculus offer diverse food courts and upscale dining experiences.

For a more casual experience, the streets surrounding the chapel - particularly Fulton and Church Streets - are lined with quick-service eateries, coffee shops, and classic New York delis.

Many visitors choose to grab a meal nearby and utilize the benches in the churchyard for a quiet break, provided they follow the site’s guidelines regarding cleanliness and waste disposal.

Military at St. Paul's Chapel on September 11, 2001.

A selection of commemorative items and historical literature is available at the back of the chapel and through the nearby Trinity Gift Shop.

These items often focus on the chapel’s dual legacy as a Revolutionary War-era landmark and a site of 9/11 remembrance.

Visitors can find books detailing the history of the parish, postcards of the Georgian architecture, and items related to the Bell of Hope.

Proceeds from the sale of these items contribute to the ongoing maintenance and preservation of the chapel and its historic churchyard.

While the selection is curated to remain respectful of the chapel’s primary function as a house of worship, it offers meaningful keepsakes for those wishing to remember their visit to "The Little Chapel That Stood."

Interesting Facts about St. Paul's Chapel

St. Paul’s Chapel is the oldest public building in continuous use on the island of Manhattan, having opened its doors in 1766.

The chapel was originally built as a "chapel-of-ease" for parishioners of Trinity Church who did not want to walk a long distance to the main church.

Architect Thomas McBean designed the building based on the plans of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London.

During the Great Fire of 1776, the chapel was saved from destruction because citizens organized a bucket brigade to keep the roof wet.

George Washington famously walked to this chapel to attend a service immediately following his first inauguration in 1789.

The "President's Pew" is the same seat Washington used during the nearly two years that New York City served as the national capital.

Despite being directly across the street from the World Trade Center towers, not a single pane of glass in the chapel was broken on September 11, 2001.

The chapel earned the nickname "The Little Chapel That Stood" because a giant sycamore tree in the churchyard shielded it from falling debris during the 9/11 attacks.

For nine months following the attacks, the chapel operated 24 hours a day as a volunteer-led relief center for recovery workers at Ground Zero.

Inside the chapel, a permanent memorial exhibit titled "Unwavering Spirit" displays artifacts and tributes from the recovery effort.

The Bell of Hope, which sits in the churchyard, was a gift from the Lord Mayor of London and is rung on significant anniversaries of 9/11.

The spire of the chapel contains a bell that was cast in 1797 and still rings out today for services and special occasions.

The churchyard contains the monument of General Richard Montgomery, a Revolutionary War hero whose remains were moved there in 1818.

The interior features hand-carved woodwork and Waterford crystal chandeliers that were installed in 1802.

St. Paul’s Chapel is a designated National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

St. Paul's Chapel - Highlights in Pictures

FAQs about St. Paul's Chapel

What is the architectural significance of St. Paul’s Chapel?

The chapel is a premier example of Georgian Classicism and was modeled after London’s St. Martin-in-the-Fields. It remains the oldest public building in continuous use on Manhattan island.

Why is it called "The Little Chapel That Stood"?

Despite its location directly across from the World Trade Center, the building survived the September 11 attacks without a single broken window. A large sycamore tree in the churchyard shielded the structure from falling debris.

What is the history behind George Washington’s connection to the chapel?

Washington walked to the chapel to pray immediately following his 1789 inauguration and attended services there regularly while New York was the capital. His original "President's Pew" is still preserved and on display for visitors.

What was the chapel’s role during the Revolutionary War?

The building notably survived the Great Fire of 1776 thanks to a civilian bucket brigade that kept the roof saturated with water. It later served as a place of worship for both American and British officials during different periods of the war.

What can be found in the historic churchyard?

The cemetery serves as a peaceful green space containing monuments to historical figures like Revolutionary War hero General Richard Montgomery. It offers a rare glimpse into New York’s colonial burial traditions amidst modern skyscrapers.

What is the Bell of Hope?

The bell was a gift from the Lord Mayor of London to the City of New York following the 9/11 attacks. It is rung on significant anniversaries and during moments of remembrance to symbolize international solidarity.

Is there a cost for admission to St. Paul’s Chapel?

Entrance to the chapel and the surrounding churchyard is entirely free for all visitors. As an active house of worship, it remains open to the public without a ticket requirement.

What are the opening hours for the chapel and grounds?

The chapel interior is open daily from 8:30 AM to 6 PM, while the churchyard typically closes earlier at 4 PM. Visitors should arrive before mid-afternoon to ensure they can explore the outdoor monuments.

Are there security procedures for entering the site?

Yes, all guests must undergo a mandatory security screening and pass through a metal detector before entry. This process is required for everyone entering the historic grounds or the building.

Can I bring large bags or luggage inside?

Large suitcases, carry-ons, and bulky backpacks are strictly prohibited due to security and space constraints. There are no lockers or storage facilities on-site, so visitors must travel light.

Is the venue accessible for guests with disabilities?

The site is fully ADA-compliant and features level-access entrances for wheelchairs and strollers. The interior floor plan is flat, and accessible restrooms are available on the premises.

How do I reach the chapel using public transportation?

The chapel is easily accessible via the Fulton Street Station, World Trade Center Station, and the PATH train from New Jersey. Numerous bus lines, including the M55, also stop directly adjacent to the Broadway entrance.

Are food and drinks permitted inside the building?

To protect the 18th-century architecture and hand-carved woodwork, food and beverages are strictly prohibited inside the sanctuary. Visitors can find many dining options in the neighboring World Trade Center or at the Oculus.

Is photography allowed during a visit?

Personal photography is permitted, though the use of flash, tripods, and professional recording equipment is prohibited. Visitors are asked to be mindful of those using the space for prayer and reflection.

Where can I buy souvenirs or commemorative items?

Commemorative books and gifts are available at the back of the chapel or at the nearby Trinity Gift Shop. Proceeds from these sales help fund the ongoing preservation of the historic landmark and churchyard.