A miraculously preserved piece of history
That St. Paul's Chapel and Churchyard are still standing is nothing short of a miracle. Not only did the chapel survive a city-wide fire in 1776, in 2001 it improbably remained unharmed by the 9/11 attacks just a stone's throw away. The chapel itself is highly historic (George Washington himself worshipped there), and the churchyard is the final resting place of many early Americans, though most are likely people you haven't heard of unless you're a true history buff.
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OK, there is one you may know: George Eaker fatally shot Philip Hamilton in a duel in 1801. Don't be too hard on the man, though: he got his come-uppance only three years later when he died of consumption. If you're truly a Hamilton fan you may also recognize General Montgomery ("he caught a bullet in the neck in Quebec") who's buried under the east porch of the chapel and honored with an elaborate monument.
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Old tombstones, some weathered and half gone, but many still clearly legible, bear beautiful descriptions of the inevitability of death: a stark contrast to the living city that surrounds the cemetery on all sides. So take a leisurely stroll back in time and rest in the shade of St. Paul's storied churchyard.
Visiting ideas
Like nearby Trinity, St. Paul's Churchyard is a small, peaceful cemetery in the midst of a bustling city—a nice haven for weary tourists and travelers. With plenty of benches and shade, you can take a moment to sit and breathe in the city all around you. When you're ready, you can stroll up and down the pathway that winds through this relatively small cemetery, and check out the inside of the chapel while you're at it (neither will take long). You can’t get right up close to every grave, as the pathway is fenced in, but there are enough interesting tombstones right beside the path to satisfy any cemetery connoisseur.
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George Eaker's grave, marked by a squat white tombstone and a little sign, is down by the gate at the bottom of the cemetery, farthest from the chapel. There are a few other famous residents, including a judge, printer, and doctor; and each grave is marked by a sign like Eaker's. Don't miss the Montgomery Moument on the east porch of the chapel, and the Bell of Hope behind the chapel—created by the same English foundry that cast the Liberty Bell and Big Ben, and gifted to the people of NYC in commemoration of 9/11.
The World Trade Center and 9/11 Memorial are a very short walk from the churchyard, and very worthy of a visit. If you're truly in the mood, you can definitely see Trinity, St. Paul's, and the African Burial Ground in an hour or two total, as there are only a few blocks between each. While you're at it, you may as well stop by City Hall Park, which also has a historic past. It served several different functions during the Revolutionary War, and there's a beautiful statue there of Nathan Hale: possibly the most famous spy of the American Revolution, whose last words before being executed by the British were "I regret that I have only one life to give for my country."
In brief
Rating & Visiting info
3: Pretty cool
Open to the public daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 pm. There are bathrooms in the chapel and in the nearby World Trade Center.
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Spring or early summer are a great time to visit, as the churchyard will be green and lively but not too hot.
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As at Trinity Church, there is a security check to get into the chapel. As long as you're not carrying any weapons, food, or drinks, you should be fine.
Founding & Famous people
1766
General Richard Montgomery (Revolutionary War hero), Thomas Addis Emmet (Attorney General), John Holt (printer), Dr. William James MacNeven (father of American chemistry), George Frederick Cooke (renowned and erratic British actor), John Bailey (forged George Washington's battle sword), and others.
Location & Nearby sites
Lower Manhattan
Take the 2 or 3 to Park Place or the A or C to Fulton Street. St. Paul's is just one or two blocks away from each station. Alternately, you can take the 1 to WTC Cortlandt and check out the 9/11 Memorial before heading to St. Paul's.
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Nearby sites include the World Trade Center, 9/11 Memorial, One World Observatory, Woolworth Building, Trinity Church, City Hall Park, Brooklyn Bridge, and the African Burial Ground National Monument. Up Lafayette Street past the African Burial Ground is Chinatown, home to plenty of delicious (and fairly inexpensive) restaurants.
