Governors Island in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
St. Cornelius Chapel
Governors Island
During the first seven decades of American military use of Governors Island, there was no post chapel. In 1844, a Columbia College Episcopal Reverend, John M. McVickar, was commissioned post chaplain. His tireless efforts, combined with the sponsorship of his family and Trinity Church in Manhattan, led to the construction of a sizable wood frame chapel in 1847. This Episcopalian chapel was located just behind and to the right of where you are standing. By 1868, the Army elected to stop providing chaplains to the Island, leading Trinity Church to adopt the chapel into its Manhattan parish and provide its own chaplain.
Reverend Edmund Banks Smith arrived in 1904 and energetically spearheaded the construction of a new masonry building to replace the original wood chapel, then in disrepair. The current English Gothic Style church was dedicated in 1906; and, like the original, was named after a soldier and early convert to Christianity, St. Cornelius the Centurion. Trinity Church retains ownership of the chapel to this day. Eventually, facilities for further religious services were made available to Island residents. The Our Lady of the Sea Catholic chapel and a synagogue were established in the historic district and services for Christian Scientists and Jehovah Witnesses were held in existing buildings on the south island.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.
Location. 40° 41.295′ N, 74° 0.897′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is on Governors Island. Marker is on Evans Road, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located on Governors Island. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tower Carillon Chimes (a few steps from this marker); The South Battery (a few steps from this marker); Maj. General Hanson E. Ely Retirement (within shouting distance of this marker); John Peter Zenger (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The South Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Oysters in the Harbor: A History (within shouting distance of this marker); Middens and Reefs (within shouting distance of this marker); The Buttermilk Channel and Brooklyn Waterfront (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
More about this marker. An exterior picture of St. Cornelius Chapel appears on the background of the marker. The upper right of the marker contains an interior photo with a caption of “The nave of St. Cornelius chapel, seen here, was decorated with a collection of historic regimental flags. The flags were moved in the 1980s to the U.S. Center for Army Military History in Washington D.C.”
Also see . . .
1. The Trust for Governors Island. Website homepage (Submitted on September 14, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. Governors Island National Monument. National Park Service website. (Submitted on September 14, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 831 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 14, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 8. submitted on May 1, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.