Cathedral of St. Sava
Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Eastern America·Serbian Orthodox Church·United States
The Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, originally built as Trinity Chapel, is a historic Eastern Orthodox church located in Manhattan, New York City. Designed by Richard Upjohn in the English Gothic Revival style, it served as an uptown chapel for Trinity Church parish before being sold to a Serbian Orthodox congregation in 1942. The church is notable for its architectural significance, its role as a spiritual center for the Serbian community, and its resilience following a devastating fire in 2016.
Key Facts
- ›Built between 1850–55 as Trinity Chapel, designed by Richard Upjohn in English Gothic Revival style.
- ›Purchased by a Serbian Orthodox congregation in 1942 and reopened as Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in 1944.
- ›Designated a New York City landmark in 1968 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
- ›Suffered extensive damage in a major fire on May 1, 2016, but the stone walls remained structurally sound.
- ›Reconstruction efforts have been underway since the fire, with services resuming in the partially rebuilt structure by 2023.
- ›The church complex includes the Parish House (formerly Trinity Chapel School) and the Clergy House, both designed by architects from the Upjohn firm.
- English Gothic Revival Architecture
- Hand-Carved Oak Iconostasis
- Busts of Bishop Nikolaj Velimirović, Nikola Tesla, and Michael Pupin
- Rose Window On the Facade
- Parish House Designed By Jacob Wrey Mould
Richard Upjohn, Jacob Wrey Mould, Richard M. Upjohn, Frederick Clarke Withers
About Cathedral of St. Sava
Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church
The Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, located in the NoMad neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, is a significant historical and religious landmark. Originally constructed between 1850 and 1855 as Trinity Chapel, it was designed by the renowned architect Richard Upjohn in the English Gothic Revival style. This chapel was intended as an uptown annex for the Trinity Church parish, catering to the growing population moving northward in the city.
History and Transition
Trinity Chapel was a wealthy and influential parish, capable of self-support. A notable event occurred in 1865 when the Orthodox Liturgy was celebrated for the first time in American history within Trinity Episcopal Church. By the 1930s, however, the neighborhood around Madison Square had declined, and the congregation dwindled. In 1942, a Serbian Orthodox congregation, founded in the 1930s, purchased the building with assistance from various Serbian churches. It was reopened in 1944 as the Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, dedicated to Saint Sava, the first Archbishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the traditional patron saint of the Serbs.
Over time, the sanctuary underwent modifications to align with Eastern Orthodox traditions, including the addition of a Byzantine, hand-carved iconostasis brought from Yugoslavia in 1962. The icons adorning the iconostasis were created by Russian iconographer Ivan Meljinkov. The church complex also includes the Parish House, formerly the Trinity Chapel School, built in 1860 and designed by Jacob Wrey Mould, and the Clergy House, built in 1866 and designed by Richard Upjohn and his son Richard M. Upjohn. The chapel was designated a New York City landmark in 1968 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
The 2016 Fire and Rebuilding
A devastating four-alarm fire on May 1, 2016, Orthodox Easter, destroyed much of the church. Despite the extensive damage, the stone walls remained structurally sound. Reconstruction efforts began with the goal of rebuilding at the current site. Services resumed within the shell of the partially rebuilt church by February 2023, signifying the community's resilience and commitment to restoring their spiritual home. The church's importance to the Serbian community in New York and beyond has been underscored by governmental and religious support for its rebuilding.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history of the Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church?
Originally constructed as Trinity Chapel between 1850-1855, it served as an uptown annex for Trinity Church parish. In 1942, a Serbian Orthodox congregation purchased the building and reopened it in 1944 as the Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, dedicated to Saint Sava.
What architectural style is Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church?
The church was designed by Richard Upjohn in the English Gothic Revival style. The exterior features heavy sandstone blocks with Gothic trim and details, and it was known for its large timber hammerbeam roof prior to the 2016 fire.
What happened to the church in the 2016 fire?
On May 1, 2016, a significant fire destroyed most of the church building. Fortunately, the stone walls remained standing and were deemed structurally sound, allowing for reconstruction efforts to commence.
What is the significance of Saint Sava to the church?
The church is dedicated to Saint Sava, who was the first Archbishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church. He is also the traditional patron saint of the Serbs, making the dedication deeply meaningful to the congregation.
Is the church still an active place of worship?
Yes, despite the devastating fire in 2016, reconstruction has progressed to the point where services are being held within the shell of the partially rebuilt church as of 2023. Plans to rebuild at the current site have been confirmed.
Are there any notable figures associated with the church?
The church was a site of worship for writer Edith Wharton, who was married there in 1885. Busts of Bishop Nikolaj Velimirović, inventor Nikola Tesla, and physicist Michael Pupin are located outside the church.
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