St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Greek Orthodox church and national shrine in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States
The church stands on a raised platform near the World Trade Center and presents a white marble facade that reflects daylight. Above the rectangular base sits a central dome with forty translucent glass panels supported by stone ribs.
The original church building from 1916 was completely destroyed on September 11, 2001, when the South Tower collapsed onto it. Reconstruction began in 2014 after lengthy negotiations and was completed more than two decades after the attacks.
The church is named for Saint Nicholas, patron saint of sailors and travelers, a nod to the Greek immigrants who founded the parish after passing through Ellis Island. It serves as a national shrine and "House of Prayer for all people," with a secular bereavement space, social hall, and interfaith programs. Icons and religious items recovered from the destroyed church are to be displayed in an exhibit dedicated to its predecessor.
The church stands in Liberty Park at the corner of Liberty and Greenwich Streets, diagonally from One World Trade Center. The entrance is reached by stairs and ramps from street level. It is a working parish, so visitors should check service times before planning a sightseeing stop.
The translucent stone facade creates a gentle glow at night, making the building appear like a lantern. This effect comes from the combination of interior lighting and light-transmitting marble panels.
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