Easter in Old New York

I spent the weekend visiting friends and family in New York. Since my hotel was downtown, I went to St. Paul's chapel for an Easter service. St. Paul's, located directly across from the World Trade Center site, provided shelter and rest for 9/11 rescue workers.  It still has a moving display of memorials from all over the world, and tourists are welcome to move quietly about the churchyard (pictured here) and church itself during services. 

Few people today remember that New York was briefly our nation's capital; George Washington worshipped at St. Paul's following his inauguration in 1789.  But my favorite story about the chapel is that it was built with its back to Broadway, which even in the 18th century was considered a sinful street.  It amuses me to think of those good, staid Episcopalians piously deciding to face their church in the opposite direction.  (But I'm glad they did, since it meant St. Paul's could proudly look adversity in the face on that horrible day nearly ten years ago.)