FINANCIAL DISTRICT — For the first time in its nearly 250-year history, St. Paul's Chapel is closing its doors — and taking its services outside.
The historic Broadway church, the chapel where George Washington prayed after his presidential inauguration in 1789, decided to close while its inside is being repainted, a process that will continue through at least mid-September, said spokeswoman Lynn Goswick.
"It's big project, with lots of scaffolding needed because of our high ceilings and the decision was made that it would be safer to close while the work is being done," Goswick said. "It may also speed the project along."
The interior of St. Paul's Church. (Wikimedia Commons)
The interior is being repainted a muted cream color, a change from the light pink and blue, and a hue that the church feels will likely be a bit more historically accurate.
The painting is part of a larger restoration that should be complete for the church's 250th anniversary on Oct. 30.
The church, which survived largely unscathed during the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, became a makeshift home base for first responders in the months after the attacks.
This will be the first time since 9/11 that the church has had some interruption to its regular indoor services — and the first time in its history that it will regularly hold outdoor services.
The outdoor services, which started Thursday, are being held in the churchyard, and some services will also be held down the street, at Trinity Church.