St. Mark's Episcopal Church

St. Mark's Church is a stone building displaying Georgian architecture with a Greek Revival steeple that rises above the surrounding structures. Inside, stained glass windows illustrate scenes from the liturgical calendar and cast colored light throughout the sanctuary.

The parish was founded in 1799 with Alexander Hamilton playing a role in establishing one of the city's first independent Episcopal congregations. The building has remained connected to this founding moment throughout its long presence on the Lower East Side.

The church hosts an active arts project where visitors encounter poetry readings, performances, and creative events throughout the year. This space has become known in the community for supporting contemporary artistic expression and attracting performers from across the city.

The church welcomes visitors during Sunday services in the morning and also holds prayer services on weekday evenings that are open to the public. The building is easily accessible and provides a quiet space in the middle of a busy neighborhood.

The remains of Peter Stuyvesant, the last Dutch director of New Netherland, are buried in a vault beneath the church floor. This burial connects the building to the earliest chapter of the city's past before it became an English settlement.

Location: New York

Architects: Bertram Goodhue

GPS coordinates: 41.20722,-73.72639

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:14