Trinity Church by Mackenzie Meyer

   Coined as the economic hub of the world, Wall Street epitomizes the global financial market and business culture of America. This area of downtown Manhattan represents the coming together of communities world-wide and the pieces of each culture impacting the progression of the current economic, political, and societal conditions near and far. Around the corner from the iconic New York Stock Exchange and the myriad of other firms on Wall Street stands the Trinity Church and Graveyard. Located on Broadway, the Trinity Church illustrates the importance of preserving religious structures in a modern city and their continued contribution to the surrounding community.
    When one thinks about finance in America, one thinks about Wall Street. Historically, Wall Street has been a symbol of American success, and even more so, a symbol of the American dream. Being located on Broadway and only a few short steps away from such an world-renowned economic complex, the Trinity Church is undoubtedly a perfect representation of American Catholicism. When I was coming out of a job interview the day I saw this church, what caught my eye in the sky was the pairing of the Freedom Tower and the Trinity Church and the resulting image that was created. The Freedom Tower is another symbol of American success and power. The two buildings shared similarities in their architectural style of construction. Each structure had a thin, tall shaped tower with a spire on top. In fact, the steeple of the Trinity Church was the tallest structure in New York until the year 1890. For the Trinity Church to be surrounded by such impressive icons of American and even New York culture highlighted its association with the term “American”.
    The first Trinity Church was finished in the mid eighteenth century. Over time, due to fires and other destructive causes, reconstruction of the original building occurred three times after its grand opening. The Trinity Church is an Episcopal parish, whose preaching is centered around the story of the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Parishioners of the Episcopal church believe in the power and legitimacy of the Bible and emphasize carrying out love for God and one’s neighbors fully. As the population of New York City tremendously increased during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, so did the parish of the Trinity Church and its contributions to the neighborhood. The Trinity Church conducts a number of sacramental services, such as baptisms, communions, reconciliations and marriages, that are all extremely central to the Catholic Church and the Episcopal parish. In addition, the Trinity Church is home to a Sunday School, where people of all ages learn about the Bible and the workings of God. The Trinity Church has an important impact on the surrounding community as a source of religious practices and services.
    Finally, the Trinity Church can also be analyzed as a “text”. To anyone quickly scurrying back to their office from their lunch break or a tourist visiting the financial district of Manhattan, they would automatically realize that this building is a church from the number of visible crosses on its exterior to the style of traditional church design. Also, from the old and Gothic style of architecture, they can also conclude that that building has been there for a while unlike the number of buildings with modern architectural construction. Its location also signifies its importance to the framework of the community. Among the chaotic atmosphere of Wall Street and the rest of the financial district of lower Manhattan, the Trinity Church provides an outlet of comfort, peace, and religious fundamentals for many people in the area.

Works Cited
"Trinity Church." Trinity Church. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2016