Trinity Church was first founded by a charter by the King George II of England, back in 1698. It was expanded in 1754, and was burned down in the New York City Fire of 1776. It was rebuilt in 1788 and finished in 1790. It was demolished in 1838, after it was weakened in a snowstorm, and replaced with the current one, in 1839, but did not reopen until 1846. It was added as a New York City Landmark in 1966, and as a National Historic Landmark in 1976.
It has stood the test of time, as one of the most recognizable scenes in Lower Manhattan. It was, for a span from 1846-1890, the tallest building / structure in New York City. It survived the smoke and debris, from collapse of the World Trade Center towers, on September 11th, 2001, but one tree that stood for almost a century, at St. Paul's Church, which is across from the World Trade Center, and is also a part of the parish of Trinity Church, was not as so fortunate. Its roots were dug up, and bronzed, and now sits near the front door of Trinity Church.
Of course, anyone around my age knows Trinity Church for a different reason. It was featured as the climaxing point of the 2004 historical thrilling movie, "National Treasure". Whenever I see the church in my travels in the city, I always think of that movie, and I always want to go get some of the gold and treasure buried below the church!
But also, what a lot of people miss when they see the Church, is the graveyard that goes along with it. There are some really famous people buried there. People like Alexander Hamilton, who was the first Secretary of the Treasury of the Untied States, and is on the ten dollar bill, Ed Koch, the former Mayor of New York City, and many American and British Generals from the American Revolution and War of 1812.
Anyways, I hope that you all enjoyed the post, and will consider checking out Trinity Church, the next time that you are in the city!
Have you ever been to Trinity Church before? Would you want to go and visit it? Can you believe how many historic figures are buried there?
DGS
Quotes of the Day: "Change is inevitable. Change is constant." - Benjamin Disraen
"I've never known any trouble than an hour's reading didn't assuage." - Arthur Schopenhauer
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