St. Paul's Chapel (Columbia University)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

St. Paul's Chapel is the chapel of Columbia University. Designed and built from 1904 to 1907 by the architects Howells & Stokes in an elaborate mixture of Italian Renaissance, Byzantine, and Gothic styles, its interior features Guastavino tile vaulting in intricate patterns of aged red brick. Three stained glass windows by John La Farge adorn the apse. St. Paul's Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ is renowned for its fine tone.

Many religious groups use the chapel throughout the week for their meetings. It is also popular for weddings. Several non-religious student groups also use the chapel. The most notable of these are the student magazine The Blue and White as well as Postcrypt Coffeehouse, a folk music venue, weekly featuring live music. The basement of the chapel houses the Postcrypt Art Gallery. At commencement, the university uses St. Paul's for a Baccalaureate Service to commemorate graduates' achievements.

St. Paul's is referred to in the Eyewitness Guide to New York as "Columbia's most spectacular building". One scene in the 1996 romantic comedy The Mirror Has Two Faces takes place at an organ recital in St. Paul's.