Church of the Transfiguration, Episcopal church in NoMad, Manhattan, United States
The Church of the Transfiguration sits at 1 East 29th Street between Madison and Fifth Avenues, displaying Neo-Gothic architecture with pointed arches and ornate stonework characteristic of the style. A small garden surrounds the building, creating a peaceful retreat in the middle of the busy Manhattan block.
Built in 1848, this structure served as shelter for African Americans during the Civil War Draft Riots of 1863 and functioned as a stop along the Underground Railroad. These acts of protection during a violent crisis became defining moments in the building's long existence.
The church earned the affectionate name 'The Little Church Around the Corner' in 1870 after becoming the first in New York City to hold funerals for theater actors. This openness to a then-marginalized profession shaped its identity and community role ever since.
The site is wheelchair accessible and hosts regular weekday concerts alongside guided tours covering both its architecture and history. Visitors should know that it remains an active place of worship, so opening hours may vary depending on services and events.
The Episcopal Actors' Guild operates from within the building, maintaining archives that document the intersection of theater and spirituality. This ongoing presence of the performing arts community turns the space into an unusual bridge between sacred architecture and creative life.
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