Compline by Candlelight
Sundays; 8–8:30pm in St. Paul’s Chapel
The Choir of Trinity Wall Street; Thomas McCargar, director
Compline means "completion" and is an ancient rite of prayers to end the day. Providing peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins, Trinity's 30-minute Compline service is unique in that all who enter are asked to simply hold a candle as the The Choir of Trinity Wall Street beautifully improvises these nighttime prayers in song.
Compline takes place in-person at historic St. Paul's Chapel (209 Broadway at Fulton Street), and reservations are not required. Compline audio podcasts are also released every Sunday on our website, Facebook, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and other podcast apps. Listen to the latest episodes below.
Compline Service Details
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. There’s nothing to do but listen, breathe, and be.
A Closer Look at Compline
In this video, choir member Jonathan Woody takes you inside Compline by Candlelight, a 30-minute Sunday evening service with improvised choral music.
Worship Services
Worship is at the center of life at Trinity Church Wall Street. Sunday services are held online and in person at Trinity Church and St. Paul's Chapel. Weekday services are held online and in person at Trinity Church. Whether you are a lifelong Episcopalian, from another faith tradition, exploring your faith, or just visiting, you are welcome to join us in worship.
Recent Recordings
Compline by Candlelight
October 8, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise Libby Larsen's God so loved the world.
Compline by Candlelight
October 1, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Tonight, hear Downtown Voices improvise Arnold Schoenberg's Friede auf Erden, Op. 13 and Randall Svane's The Lord’s Prayer (US Premiere).
Special Compline: Downtown Voices
September 24, 2023
Join Downtown Voices on September 24, at 8pm, in Trinity Church for Compline by Candlelight, an ancient rite of prayers to end the day. Stephen Sands, conductor
Arnold Schoenberg Friede auf Erden, Op. 13
Randall Svane The Lord’s Prayer (US Premiere)
Compline by Candlelight
September 24, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Set in the tranquility of St. Paul’s Chapel. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise Josquin des Prez's Missa Pange Lingua (Kyrie and Agnus Dei)
Compline by Candlelight
September 17, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Set in the tranquility of St. Paul’s Chapel. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise Heinrich Schütz's Selig sind die Toten
Compline by Candlelight
September 10, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Set in the tranquility of St. Paul’s Chapel. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina's Ecce nunc benedicite Dominum
Compline by Candlelight
September 3, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Set in the tranquility of St. Paul’s Chapel. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise Undine Smith Moore's We Shall Walk through the Valley.
Compline by Candlelight
August 27, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Set in the tranquility of St. Paul’s Chapel. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise William Byrd's Look down, O Lord.
Compline by Candlelight
August 20, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Set in the tranquility of St. Paul’s Chapel. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise Maurice Duruflé's Tota pulchra es
Compline by Candlelight
August 13, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Set in the tranquility of St. Paul’s Chapel. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina's Sicut cervus
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