St. Paul's Chapel in New York City
Volunteer Ministry and Memorials after the Fall of the Twin Towers
Oct 17, 2009
In the days immediately following September 11, 2001, New Yorkers and people around the world responded with an outpouring of volunteerism, donations, and good wishes. That desire to help manifested most profoundly at St. Paul’s Chapel, the oldest continuously occupied public building in Manhattan, located immediately adjacent to the site of the former World Trade Towers.
The History of St. Paul’s Chapel in New York
Built by Andrew Gauthier in 1766, the chapel is unassuming by today’s standards. An example of Georgian Classic revival architecture, it was considered a country church when first built. Constructed of Manhattan mica-schist, its woodwork, carving, and door hinges are handmade. The steeple was added in 1794.
George Washington chose to worship at St. Paul’s on the day of his Inauguration, and it houses both George Washington’s pew as well as the Governor’s pew. The chapel was saved from the Great Fire of 1776, which destroyed most of the city, by a citizen’s bucket brigade stretching from the Hudson River. Though an ancient sycamore in the churchyard fell, the chapel survived the attacks of 9/11, blanketed by a thick layer of ash.
Volunteers Rush to Assist at Ground Zero
Immediately after it was pronounced safe for occupancy, staff and volunteers began arriving at St. Paul’s. The wrought iron fence enclosing the churchyard became an impromptu memorial, with survivors coming to search for missing loved ones and leaving offerings and good wishes of every kind. The staff at St. Paul’s decided to erect 15-foot canvas panels for people to write their prayers and thoughts. They originally estimated a need for 15-30 panels, but well-wishers eventually filled over 700!
The staff of St. Paul’s, an Episcopal church, and thousands of volunteers mounted what was to become the principal ministry for the rescuers and firefighters at Ground Zero. Transformed inside to provide sleeping cots, food, medical attention, and counseling, it was visited by more than 3000 workers in the first three months of recovery.
Thousands of ordinary people immediately came to help: podiatrists, massage therapists, chiropractors, chefs, and counselors. Greater than 500 musicians played at St. Paul’s in the nine months after the attack, and they made certain that Amazing Grace and Danny Boy were each played at least once every day.
Ministry to the Recovery Ends
From September 2001 to May 2002, more than 14,000 volunteer signatures would be entered into the sign-in books of St. Paul’s ministry. Volunteers report that in the first weeks after the attacks the atmosphere was subdued. With time, the mood grew more uplifting as people focused on the positives of what they were accomplishing.
On May 30, 2002, a ceremony was held to mark the end of months of cleanup in “the pit.” The last shift of St. Paul's volunteers worked from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 31. An exhibit entitled "Out of the Dust: A Year of Ministry at Ground Zero" was opened to the public on the first anniversary of September 11th. By Christmas of 2002, visitors from around the world had viewed the exhibit, and by March 7, 2004 the exhibit drew its one-millionth visitor.
The St. Paul’s Chapel adjacent to Ground Zero in New York City is a historic building with a rich history, open to the public. Clergy and volunteers alike played a pivotal role in ministering to recovery workers in the aftermath of the 9-11 attacks.
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