NoMad in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

"The Little Church Around the Corner"

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, April 20, 2025

1. "The Little Church Around the Corner" Marker

Inscription. Around the Corner Stands
The Historic
Church of the Transfiguration
"The Little Church Around the Corner."
U.S. Landmark
National Shrine of Church and Theatre
Founded 1848 Built 1849

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 40° 44.724′ N, 73° 59.199′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in NoMad. It is at the intersection of 5th Avenue and East 29th Street, on the left when traveling south on 5th Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 267 5th Avenue, New York NY 10016, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker: Marble Collegiate Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, DD., LL.D. (within shouting distance of this marker); Church of the Transfiguration (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Church of the Transfiguration (within shouting distance of this marker); Lychgate Restoration (within shouting distance of this marker); American Academy of Dramatic Arts (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tin Pan Alley (about 600 feet away); The New York Life Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Also see . . .
1. Church of the Transfiguration, Episcopal (Manhattan). Wikipedia entry (Submitted on April 30, 2025, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

2. National Register of Historic Places nomination form for the church. This form was prepared on August 31, 1971 by Max Kahn, Associate with the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. A synopsis of the church's significance can be found on page 4:

The Church of the Transfiguration is a Gothic Revival building dating from
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, April 20, 2025

2. "The Little Church Around the Corner" Marker
The marker is appropriately located around the corner from the famed Episcopal church.
1819 with subsequent additions. Located in the shadow of the Empire State Building and almost hidden from view by tall surrounding buildings, it stands in its quiet garden, fenced off from the busy street. Its picturesque character and human scale, reminiscent of an English village church, make it look like a stage set standing in the heart of Manhattan. Nothing could be more fitting, since for many years it has been known as the actor's church.

From the eighteen sixties on the church began to play a role in the life of the city. The names of prominent New York families appear in the records of births, deaths and marriages. During the Civil War it is thought to have served as an underground station for escaped slaves, and at the time of the New York Draft Riots in 1863, the church offered refuge to negroes. In 1864 the rector established a bread line for the many unemployed, and this was reinstituted in 1907 and 1930.

In 1896, Mrs. Franklin Hughes Delano, the former Laura Astor, whose grandnephew was Franklin Delano Roosevelt, presented the lich-gate, an architectural feature more common in England than in the United States. Its
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, April 20, 2025

3. Church of the Transfiguration
The Church of the Transfiguration, also known as the "Little Church Around the Corner," is a beloved church with historic ties to both the Underground Railroad and New York's theater scene.
function originally was to provide a covered resting place at the entrance of the churchyard where the pallbearers could rest the coffin while awaiting the arrival of the priest. Lich is an Anglo-Saxon word meaning body or corpse.

Since 1870 The Church of the Transfiguration has been widely known as The Little Church Around the Corner. Joseph Jefferson, the well known American actor, had called at another church to arrange for the funeral of a friend. On learning that the friend was an actor, the minister hesitated a moment and then said he would be viable to conduct the service, Jefferson asked to be directed to another church and the minister replied, "There is a little church around the corner where it might be done". Under this name the church has become famous in verse and song, pictures and plays. In 1920 the lich-gate, with the church in the background, was the setting for the finale of Ziegfeld's musical comedy Sally.

(Submitted on July 15, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 307 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 20, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.