Trinity Chapel, New York University

New York University Trinity Chapel
General information
Architectural style Brutalist[1]
or Modernist[2]
Town or city New York, New York
Country United States of America
Construction started 1961[3]
Completed 1964[2][3]
Demolished 2009
Client Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York
Technical details
Structural system Reinforced concrete
Design and construction
Architect Eggers & Higgins[2][3]

Holy Trinity Chapel of New York University was NYU's former Generoso Pope Catholic Center and Catholic chapel, located at 58 Washington Square South, West Village, Manhattan, New York. It was built 1961–1964 and was a prominent example of the Brutalist architectural style, executed in reinforced concrete and modernist stained glass. It was designed by the noted American architectural firm of Eggers & Higgins.[3]

The chapel occupied highly desirable land on Washington Square, and a decision was made to close the chapel and redirect Catholic Center services to a nearby parish, the Church of St. Joseph on Sixth Avenue at Washington Place.[4][5] It was rented to Washington Square Methodist Episcopal Church when that congregation left its 1860 church in 2004.[6]

The New York Times reported that it was sold in early 2009 for $25 million for redevelopment to the university. "The fate of the chapel has created little stir, perhaps because many residents aren't very fond of its looks. Built in the 1960s, the chapel incorporates elements of Brutalist architecture, known for its liberal use of concrete.... 'It’s not terribly pleasing to the eye,' said Brad Hoylman, chairman of Community Board 2, which includes Washington Square Park. He added, however, that there was at least some anxiety about what may replace it."[1]

The AIA Guide to NYC (2010) described the chapel as "awkward Modernism from a time when the search for form preoccupied American architects."[2] The building was demolished in 2009.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 James Angelos. "For a Chapel on the Park, the Bell May Soon Toll", The New York Times, January 16, 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Norval White, Elliot Willensky with Fran Leadon, AIA Guide to New York City, Fifth Ed. American Institute of Architects New York Chapter Series. (Oxford University Press, 2010), p.137. ISBN 978-0-19-538386-7.
  3. 1 2 3 4 NYU Building Index. Accessed March 2, 2010.
  4. ↑ J. Russiello, A Sympathetic Planning Hierarchy for Redundant Churches: A Comparison of Continued Use and Reuse in Denmark, England and the United States of America (MSc Conservation of Historic Buildings, University of Bath, 2008), p.351, 353.
  5. ↑ Joseph Zwilling, Director of Communications, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. "Letters To The Editor; A Chapel Leaves; the Ministry Remains". The New York Times, February 1, 2009.
  6. ↑ Albert Amateau, "Washington Square Church Is Sold", The Villager, Vol. 75, No. 10, July 27, 2005.
  7. ↑ "NYU wins variance for six story building on Wash. Sq.", CityLand, New York Law School, March 15, 2010.

Coordinates: 40°43′48″N 73°59′53.1″W / 40.73000°N 73.998083°W / 40.73000; -73.998083

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