This congregation exists to worship, love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. We offer opportunities for worship, education, fellowship and service which encourage that mission.
Founded in 1823, Saint Thomas Church was incorporated in the City of New York on January 9, 1824, by members from three downtown parishes who wanted to establish a church in their own neighborhood on the northern edge of "settled" Manhattan. The first edifice was at Broadway and Houston Streets.
The present Saint Thomas Church is actually the fourth building in the remarkable history of a great New York parish. A graceful presence in the midst of busy streets, our church was designed in the French Gothic style. It is not a copy of any other structure, but is, in the words of one of its architects, a building of "rigid honesty" in design, construction and decoration.
To appreciate fully the treasure that is Saint Thomas, you may wish to take the guided tour following the eleven o'clock service each Sunday. Bring binoculars and look closely at the stained-glass windows in the clerestory. You may also want to avail yourself of the pamphlet on the architecture of the church which can be found in the narthex.
The Saint Thomas Choir is considered by many to be the outstanding choral ensemble of the Anglican musical tradition in the United States. This choir of men and boys sings at the principal worship services of the church and also offers a full concert series each year. The men of the choir are professional singers; the boys attend the Saint Thomas Choir School. In recent years the Choir has sung in England, Ireland, Canada, Washington, D.C., and Florida and has produced a number of recordings. |