"The Little Chapel that Stood"
St. Paul's Chapel
New York City
After the devastation that rocked Lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001...it is truly hard to imagine this chapel, which sits opposite the World Trade Center and ground zero...survived with nary a broken window. Given the glimmering sunshine that burst thru the trees and created what surely must be a sign from God...I'm certain it was divine intervention that saved St. Paul's Chapel. Which is fitting since it was the oldest surviving church building in Manhattan prior to 9/11...and still is.
Across the street from St. Paul's Chapel is the World Trade Center site and the 9/11 Memorial. Construction of the new World Trade Center buildings is under way. It's a noisy, noisy place. World Trade Center One, aka Freedom Tower, has a height of a poignant 1,776 feet. Freedom Tower is the tallest building in New York City, and the fourth tallest building in the world.
And across the other street from the chapel, is New York style pizza...of course.
I went to New York City expecting to be moved by the 9/11 Memorial. What I wasn't prepared for was the emotion, history and sorrow I would feel from St. Paul's Chapel. Truly, it wasn't even a stop on my itinerary for the day. My only plan was to jump on a train and head to Lower Manhatten. But it called. I'm glad I listened.
"Out of the Mouths of Babes"
St. Paul's Chapel - New York City
St. Paul's sprung to action after 9/11 and served as a place of rest and refuge for recovery workers at the World Trade Center site. For eight months, volunteers worked 12 hour shifts around the clock, serving meals, providing beds, counseling and praying with firefighters, construction workers, police and many others.
"Never Forget"
St. Paul's Chapel - New York City
Today the chapel is still a functioning place of worship for the Episcopal Church. It has also become a place where childrens' artwork, letters, words of love and encouragement, and remembrances from all over the world have found a home. The emotion I experienced literally had a physical weight to it.
"Saint Paul's Chapel"
New York City
Yes, the official 9/11 Memorial is across the street in the footprints of the former World Trade Center buildings that collapsed. It is new and it is beautiful. But as far as I am concerned, the REAL memorial is within the walls of the "little chapel that stood".
Never Forget.
Please join me on Sundays for Song-ography.
This week's song title is the Bare Naked Ladies "If I Had a Million Dollars".
I just love that little chapel and would visit it when we would go into the city. Now I'm many states away but was so glad to hear on 9/11 that it still stood. Thank you for sharing these photos. I'm glad to see it again.
ReplyDeleteI stood right there where u took that picture Kathy on my most recent trip to NY. When u look at the streets and alleys and the proximity of the WTC's, it is mind blowing that what stood-actually did. Standing on that corner, I played the images in my head of 9-11 and the paper and debris blowing down the streets-and the chaos that ensued. New Yorkers are some of the most amazing citizens of the US.
ReplyDeleteKelly, you know what I found the most disconcerning? Whenever I would see a plane fly by as it crossed tbe sight line of The Freedom Tower. Literally gave me chills.
DeleteI had forgotten about this church...remembered some of it as I read your post..thank you for that ...a great post.
ReplyDeleteYou took me there with you, Kathy. I have tears in my eyes, but that's OK. Beautiful words, beautiful photos. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWow...I've never even heard of this chapel. Thanks for sharing! This is a beautiful post all around.
ReplyDeleteHow moving and beautiful. I haven't heard of this chapel either. I went to NY a year after 9/11 and stood at the huge hole in the ground. It was like nothing else I've ever experienced. Thank you for this poignant post.
ReplyDeleteGreat tribute.
ReplyDeleteMoving images and heartfelt descriptions of how you felt/feel Kathy. Thank you for sharing at Tuesday Muse this week.
ReplyDeleteThis was a wonderful post. Your captions are as wonderful and heart wrenching as the pictures themselves. Wonderful tribute.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these photos. You've taken us all there.
ReplyDeleteFantastic and moving post. 12 years past now. Doesn't seem possible, so vivid. I'm glad you were called to the chapel and were able to share these photos. My nephew's birthday is 9/11/06-he was born 10 min after midnight and at the time it seemed unfortunate, however I feel blessed that I can think of something positive, moving forward, growing, succeeding on that day rather than spend the entire day contemplating the sadness.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about this little church... what an amazingly powerful symbol.
ReplyDeleteMollyxxx
Wow. Thanks for sharing these images from the chapel. I can only imagine what a refuge this must have been in the early days...
ReplyDeleteIt was such a tremendously sad day for all of us. The little church witnessed so much that day.
ReplyDeleteA very moving post thank you for sharing the chapel. No we should never forget.
ReplyDeleteVery good post. You took great pictures and I always enjoy a bit of explanation.
ReplyDeleteI noticed the OKC banner, I've been to that memorial a few times. It's also very moving.
Beautiful and touching.
ReplyDeleteheartrending and beautiful post kathy!
ReplyDeleteWhen we visited St. Paul's Chapel in 2009 you could still smell the ash. I agree with you in that it is a true testament and memorial to the events surrounding 911.
ReplyDeleteCatching up on some of your posts. - This was beautiful. You really captured the reverence of this place.
ReplyDeleteI linked this wonderful post in my sept. 11 remembrance post. thanks for the great pics.
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