August 28, 2017
St. Paul's, near World Trade Center, removes George Washington's Pew
Much to my surprise, the inside had been redesigned with the benches removed. But the also removed the side wooden low fenced side pews which included the very one where George Washington went to pray about 20 minutes after being sworn in as the First President of the United States. It was a pew many, many people have visited at least until 2011. It was a shock to see it gone. And I don't believe this happened in the last few days after Charlottesville.
For those living close to St. Paul's or soon traveling to New York City, you can verify my claims written here in person yourselves.
The pew benches at St. Paul's Chapel, across from the World Trade Center were where volunteer construction workers and NY City firemen slept while working on the removal of bodies and construction rubble after the Twin Towers fell. It was where volunteer massage therapists worked on the tired muscles of those doing the physical removal of debris and locating fallen comrades. The George Washington Pew was where a retired foot doctor set up his office to work on the feet of volunteers who climbed over jagged, twisted metal above the underground fires that burned for one hundred days after 9/11. Now there are just some chairs in the center of the church. and some displays along the wall. It literally doesn't look that much like a church on the inside anymore.
St. Paul's website lists a 2016 Restoration without any mention of the interior layout changes to the church, just a discussion of the paint used. Nor does their web page discussing the 250th Anniversary of the church mention the removal of the Washington Pew. https://www.trinitywallstreet.org/about/stpaulschapel/250th-events
Jack Kemp
(This post will remain at the top for a few days. New content below.)
On Sunday walked into St. Paul's Chapel, the church that miraculously survived 9/11 while being across the street from the original Trade Center. It's address is 209 Broadway. The church is owned/managed by the nearby Trinity Church which contains Alexander Hamilton's grave.(This post will remain at the top for a few days. New content below.)
Much to my surprise, the inside had been redesigned with the benches removed. But the also removed the side wooden low fenced side pews which included the very one where George Washington went to pray about 20 minutes after being sworn in as the First President of the United States. It was a pew many, many people have visited at least until 2011. It was a shock to see it gone. And I don't believe this happened in the last few days after Charlottesville.
For those living close to St. Paul's or soon traveling to New York City, you can verify my claims written here in person yourselves.
The pew benches at St. Paul's Chapel, across from the World Trade Center were where volunteer construction workers and NY City firemen slept while working on the removal of bodies and construction rubble after the Twin Towers fell. It was where volunteer massage therapists worked on the tired muscles of those doing the physical removal of debris and locating fallen comrades. The George Washington Pew was where a retired foot doctor set up his office to work on the feet of volunteers who climbed over jagged, twisted metal above the underground fires that burned for one hundred days after 9/11. Now there are just some chairs in the center of the church. and some displays along the wall. It literally doesn't look that much like a church on the inside anymore.
St. Paul's website lists a 2016 Restoration without any mention of the interior layout changes to the church, just a discussion of the paint used. Nor does their web page discussing the 250th Anniversary of the church mention the removal of the Washington Pew. https://www.trinitywallstreet.org/about/stpaulschapel/250th-events
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