Welcome to Trinity Church, Cemetery & Mausoleum!

Atmosphere

Brief Information and History

The main Trinity Church cathedral is located on Wall Street near the world trade center. Trinity church owns other locations under its branch, therefore there is a huge array of locations tourists can visit to view Gothic architecture. Trinity owns four different buildings, Trinity Church, St. Paul’s Chapel, Trinity Preschool, and Trinity cemetery.

–          The first Trinity Church opened in 1698 and was very successful, which was

             burned down in a great fire in 1776.

–          St Paul’s Chapel was opened on Broadway in 1789

–          Trinity Church was rebuilt in 1790

–          They added a Cemetery on Broadway around 1843

–          Trinity Preschool opened its doors on 1982

–          After the 9/11 attack Trinity church was the ONLY building to remain standing

 Trinity Church  and Trinity Cemetery are the main Gothic components which have been researched. These specific locations perfectly captured the Gothic style in its architecture all throughout its premises.

           Trinity Church                                                      Trinity Cemetery

The overall feeling of the area was gloomy. Upon realizing there was a fire that took place in the location immediately changes the atmosphere to a rather heavy one. There are many well-known ghost stories amongst residents, which claim the location is haunted. This adds a certain type of darkness to the ambient. There are also subterranean passages within the cemetery.

Gothic Elements in Architecture

Trinity Church–

It stands very tall, even amongst neighboring buildings. Trinity church sticks out like a sore thumb amongst nearby buildings because they are all flattened at the top but Trinity church has a pointed roof. This is because of the idea that those who practiced such religions could “reach the heavens” using the church as a forum.

A flying buttress can also be found near the sides of the cathedral. The buttress serves as a mechanism which can evenly distribute the weight of the cathedral. This was to preserve resources at a time when resources were scarce (and to test new theories with physical elements).

There are many pointed arches throughout the cathedral. When entering the church you can find small pointed arches leading to many different rooms. The tallest pointed arches are located in the middle of the church, they stand higher and wider than any of the others. This was used to maximize space and to create aw for those who entered.

In the very center of the cathedral, everything was enlarged in comparison to the previous rooms. Vaulted Ceilings can only be found in this specific place. It is most likely used as a more modern form of weight distribution with little materials being used (also to ward out weather).

Analysis of Trinity Church– The architecture plays a fundamental role on the emotions felt by its visitors. All the enormous elements makes one feel very small. Holding its enormous height makes one feel minuscule while viewing all of the detailed work. Having pointed features all throughout the church gives a feeling of danger. Having vaulted ceilings leaves one in awe. Here one can find the concept of the sublime. All of the dark features leaves one feeling fear, while having certain airy features that leaves one mesmerized. The positioning of a cemetery directly next to the church also reminds someone of their mortality. A building that preaches to its people about everlasting life also reminds its visitors about how close death really is. 

Trinity Cemetery

Within trinity cemetery, there are many mausoleums and tombstones decorated with gargoyles and other dark creatures.

There were also passageways that were below street level.

Another unsettling element was the natural decomposition of the actual cemetery. It is seen here how nature took its toll on the cemetery. These tombstones had been there for so long that they had broken down due to harsh weather conditions. Because of this, most stones were not able to stand o their own and because of this, they would snap off like twigs.

Analysis of Trinity Cemetery

Trinity cemetery was a hidden gem that shrouds itself in darkness all over Manhattan. From the cemetery filled with mausoleums and graves in Harlem to the rebuilt church on wall street, this spaced out area is the epitome of the gothic. It naturally brings fear into the hearts and minds of those who stop in an attempt to admire the detailing of this fine establishment. Those who walk passed the gates entered a trance, and were captivated by the eerie sight. This structure is the perfect example of the sublime which we have experienced. Those who were lucky enough to catch the sight of the cemetery were forced to experience all kinds of emotions once they caught its eye. It was a special face that personified itself as someone who demands attention. It’s subterranean passageway gave a feeling of entrapment throughout the church. There were a series of mazes and many stairs as well that lead in many different directions where one could really get lost. It was the perfect place to visit.

Connections between Trinity Church and The Castle of Otranto

•  “Rita tells… she saw a ghost several times. It was almost as a shadow, wearing what appeared to be 19th century clothing” (Trinity News Article)
•  “Unable to keep his eyes from the picture, which began to move, had, however, advanced some steps after her, still looking backwards on the portrait, when he saw it quit its panel, and descend on the floor, with a grave and melancholy air ” (Walpole 34). 
•  “The lower part of the castle was hollowed into several intricate cloisters… An awful silence reigned throughout those subterraneous regions, except, now and then, some blasts of wind that shook the doors she had passed, and which, grating on the rusty hinges, were re-echoed through that long labyrinth of darkness ” (Walpole 35).
  The church can be compared to a castle in multiple ways. It is very dark, silent, and includes a massive structure with extra space. This provides a sense of emptiness which extracts loud echoes. Both castles and churches are extremely mysterious, and show many signs of haunting which appear to be evident. The Castle of Otranto demonstrates many supernatural occurrences, and based on its history this is very similar to what has happened in Trinity Church. This abnormal phenomena plays a big role in its atmosphere. The atmosphere of the church has becomes very gloomy, unearthly, and unknowable, based on these occurrences.

Additional Content 

By: Elizabeth Farrugia, Nickoline Djonovic, Carmen Hilario