Trinity Chapel, New York University
| New York University Trinity Chapel | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Architectural style |
Brutalist[1] or Modernist (according to AIA Guide to New York City.)[2] |
| Town or city | New York, New York |
| Country | United States of America |
| Construction started | 1961[3] |
| Completed | 1964[2][3] |
| Demolished | 2009 or possibly 2011 |
| Client | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Reinforced concrete |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Eggers and Higgins[2][3] |
Holy Trinity Chapel of the Generoso Pope Catholic Center of New York University Catholic Student Center was the former New York University Catholic Center and Catholic chapel, located at 58 Washington Square South, West Village, Manhattan, New York. It was built 1961-1964 and was a prominent example of the Brutalist architectural style, executed in reinforced concrete and modernist stained glass. It was designed by the noted American architectural firm of Eggers and Higgins.[3]
The chapel occupied highly desirable land on Washington Square and a decision was made to close the chapel and redirect Catholic Center services to a nearby parish, the Church of St. Joseph on Sixth Avenue at Washington Place.[4][5] It was rented to the Washington Square Methodist Episcopal Church congregation when that congregation left their 1860s church in 2004.[6]
The New York Times reported that it was sold in early 2009 for $25 million for redevelopment to the university. "The fate of the chapel has created little stir, perhaps because many residents aren’t very fond of its looks. Built in the 1960s, the chapel incorporates elements of Brutalist architecture, known for its liberal use of concrete.... 'It’s not terribly pleasing to the eye,' said Brad Hoylman, chairman of Community Board 2, which includes Washington Square Park. He added, however, that there was at least some anxiety about what may replace it."[1]
The AIA Guide to NYC (2010) referred to the structure as still standing, describing the chapel as "awkward Modernism from a time when the search for form preoccupied American architects."[2]
References
- 1 2 James Angelos. Greenwich Village: For a Chapel on the Park, the Bell May Soon Toll, The New York Times (16 January 2009)
- 1 2 3 4 Norval White, Elliot Willensky with Fran Leadon, AIA Guide to New York City. Fifth Ed. American Institute of Architects New York Chapter Series. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010),p137. ISBN 978-0-19-538386-7.
- 1 2 3 4 NYU Photos and building information (Accessed 2 March 2010)
- ↑ J. Russiello, A Sympathetic Planning Hierarchy for Redundant Churches: A Comparison of Continued Use and Reuse in Denmark, England and the United States of America (MSc Conservation of Historic Buildings, University of Bath, 2008), p.351, 353.
- ↑ Joseph Zwilling, Director of Communications Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. Letters To The Editor; A Chapel Leaves; the Ministry Remains February 1, 2009.
- ↑ Albert Amateau, “Washington Square Church Is Sold,” The Villager 75, no. 10 (27 July 2005).
Coordinates: 40°43′48″N 73°59′53.1″W / 40.73000°N 73.998083°W