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
November 26, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Tonight, hear Downtown Voices improvise: Ubi Caritas – Ola Gjeilo
Compline by Candlelight
November 19, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Tonight, hear Downtown Voices improvise Come, Renew Us - Eleanor Daley
Compline by Candlelight
November 12, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Tonight, hear Downtown Voices improvise:
Compline by Candlelight
November 5, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Tonight, hear Downtown Voices improvise Nathan Giles's Vestigia mea dirige.
Compline by Candlelight
October 29, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Tonight, hear Downtown Voices improvise William Byrd's Ave Maria.
Compline by Candlelight
October 22, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Tonight, hear Downtown Voices improvise Tomas Luis de Victoria's Versa est in luctum.
Compline by Candlelight
October 15, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Tonight, hear Downtown Voices improvise Stephanie Martin's O Sacrum Convivium.
Compline by Candlelight
October 8, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Tonight, hear Downtown Voices 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)
Subscribe for Music Updates
Receive a weekly newsletter highlighting the latest concert information, announcements, news, and more.