My New York City visit had to include a trip to the former World Trade Center site. I wanted to pay my respects to those who had died on 9/11. The original site was under construction and crowded, so after a brief time there, I went to the nearby St. Paul's Chapel.

The History of St. Paul's Chapel
Built in 1766, St. Paul's Chapel is the oldest public building in Manhattan. It is the only remaining "colonial" church. George Washington attended St. Paul's Chapel for 2 years. His pew, which is actually a brocade armchair, is still available for public viewing. There is a placard placed next to it that tells of Washington's time there, along with New York City Proclamations, and a Purple Heart Commendation from that time era. Presidents Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison, and George H. W. Bush have all attended at one time or another.

In recent history, September 2001-May 2002, many volunteers used St. Paul's Chapel as their base to serve the needs of the fire fighters, police, construction workers and others that were trying to bring order back to the site of 9/11's World Trade Center tragedy.

St. Paul's Chapel still holds services, concerts, lectures, and shelters the homeless. It, also, serves as a place, for those of us that wish to, to pay respects to the thousands of people directly affected by 9/11.

Emotional
Immediately upon entering I had tears. A huge banner across the back of the chapel proclaimed sympathy and respect from the citizens of Oklahoma. A state that had it's own major tragedy a few years before. Many memorials are placed throughout the church. Possibly, the most touching, is the table that is covered in personal photographs of some of those lost in the 9/11 tragedy. Another, titled Healing Hearts and Minds, has pictures of firemen and police officers, and adorned with hundreds of department patches from those that came to help with the aftermath of the World Trade Center collapse. A collection of homemade and store bought sympathy cards from children around the world is just as emotional to view as the others.

A large board, that has scrolling paper, is available for visitors to leave a message and sign their names.

Amazing
I am not known to be an "emotional" woman. The overpowering sense of tragedy and hope that washed over me as soon as I entered St. Paul's Chapel was more than I could take, though. Luckily, my sister had planned ahead and had plenty of tissues to spare. Tears ran silently down my cheeks as each memorial brought a new set of emotions. I was not alone. Many people, men, women & children, had tears. These were tears of anger and sadness of the thousands of lives lost. More importantly, they were tears of pride for those who came together to overcome the day that will be forever known as 9/11.

The past of St. Paul's Chapel is as interesting as it's more recent history. Using much imagination, I was able to picture George Washington sitting in his chair, enjoying a Sunday sermon.

The cemetery in back of the chapel was closed to the public when I was there. I was able to see through the ornate metal fence that surrounds it, though. We saw dates from the late 1700's on the few headstones we could read. I wished we had been able to wander around it, as I've always been interested in old cemeteries and the headstones I find in them.

I'm glad I visited St. Paul's Chapel ...if for no other reason than to leave my name on the scrolling board to let people directly affected by 9/11 know that I haven't forgotten. That I share their pain, hope, and new joys, even if I can't understand the depths of their emotions.

St. Paul's Chapel is one of the few places, that I have visited, that I will have clear memories of for a lifetime.

You can now view photos of St. Paul's Chapel by visiting http://epi-cmaw63.pbwiki.com/Travel

Where to Stay in NYC
Radio City Apartments

NYC Attractions
Bronx Zoo
Times Square
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The Beast Speed Boat
Empire State Building



Recommended: Yes

Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime