St. Paul’s Chapel at 209 Broadway is NYC’s oldest public building and the only colonial-era church which has remained in continuous use since it opened in 1766.

In days long gone, St. Paul’s is where George Washington worshipped after his Presidential inauguration on April 30, 1789 and this is the chapel where he regularly attended services during the two years when NYC was our nation’s capital. 

More recently, this is where emergency workers received rest and refuge during the 9-11 recovery effort as volunteers worked round the clock for over eight months to provide meals, counseling, and basic medical care to those working at ground zero.  Worship services, concerts, lectures, and other similar events are still held in this building on a regular basis.

St. Paul’s is a National Landmark Building which has survived not only 9-11 without so much as a broken window even though it was just across the street from ground zero, but it also survived the NYC Fire of 1776 after the city was captured and set afire by the British during the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Long Island.

Inside St. Paul’s Chapel, you’ll find George Washington’s original pew (sorry I didn’t get a picture), and a few other colonial-era artifacts as well as banners and memorabilia from 9-11.