St. Paul's: Tiny church near ground zero has become a place of pilgrimage

NEW YORK — As the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center crumbled during the tragedy of 9/11 and other surrounding buildings suffered heavy damage from the falling debris, one very small structure remained standing — both physically and spiritually — in the middle of the chaos.

St. Paul's Church is located at Broadway just north of Fulton Street in downtown Manhattan, across the street from ground zero.

The 238-year-old Georgian classic-revival style building made of Manhattan mica-schist with brownstone quoins not only survived the attack on the World Trade Center unscathed, but it became the center of hope, refuge and faith in the months that followed. It became a sanctuary for thousands of volunteers, policemen, firemen and others who frequently made stops at the church, some after searching for bodies in what became known as "the pile" to pray as well as to seek comfort and strength.

The church served as a shelter for nine months for rescuers who not only prayed and grieved but ate and slept there as well.

In the weeks following the attack, well-wishers created a make-shift memorial along the iron gates that surrounded St. Paul's by leaving thousands of pictures, notes, cards, patches from different fire departments worldwide and flowers dedicated to those who lost their lives.

Others posted pictures on the gates of loved ones lost in the tragedy, hoping that by some miracle someone might see one of the faces.

Many of those personal items were saved and today are still on display inside the chapel.

In May, the church opened a new public exhibit remembering 9/11 called, "Unwavering Spirit: Hope and Healing at Ground Zero."

Banners made by schoolchildren from around the nation hang from the chapel's rafters. Pictures of lost loved ones are displayed in a small, reverent corner of the church where people can pray. One of the pictures shows a woman participating in the nationwide Olympic torch run prior to the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City.

In another display case are hundreds of patches from fire departments across the nation. And another display from Japan includes thousands of small paper cranes, a symbol of peace and healing, made by schoolchildren.

This year, St. Paul's hosted a series of events to remember 9/11. It began Friday with a memorial service for the victims of the terrorist attack that killed 192 people in Madrid, Spain, earlier this year. Then the chapel was open Friday through Saturday morning for an all-night silent vigil.