Another Architectural Gem . . .

Here's another of Manhattan's architectural gems, historic St. Peter's Episcopal Church on 20th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. Looking every bit like a typical English church (including the clock faces in its tower), St. Peter's was founded in 1831 as an outgrowth of neighboring General Theological Seminary, the oldest Episcopal seminary in the U.S. The beautiful gothic stone church was built in 1838 on land deeded by Clement Clarke Moore, who is best known as the author of "A Visit from St. Nicholas." Talking to friends familiar with the parish, I've learned that St. Peter's has been through some rough times in the last several decades. According to a 1990 New York Times article the structure was in need of serious repair, with the church in no position financially to effect repairs, let alone a full scale restoration. But as you can see from the third photo the parish managed to raise funds and save this historic Chelsea church. By the way, the iron fence and gates at St. Peter's were originally at famous Trinity Church downtown. In 1840, Trinity, undergoing a renovation, gave these gates (dating only to 1829) to St. Peter's.