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
Special Compline by Candlelight
December 17, 2023
Join The Choir of Trinity Wall Street on December 17, at 8pm, in St. Paul's Chapel for Compline by Candlelight, an ancient rite of prayers to end the day. Featuring works by Piers Connor Kennedy, Judith Weir, Jonathan Woody, Cheryl Frances-Hoad, and Benedict Sheehan; curated and led by Timothy Parsons.
Compline by Candlelight
December 10, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise: Guillaume Du Fay – Alma redemptoris mater II
Compline by Candlelight
December 3, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise: O King All Glorious - Healey Willan
Compline by Candlelight
November 26, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street 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 The Choir of Trinity Wall Street 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 The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise:
Compline by Candlelight
November 5, 2023
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street 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 The Choir of Trinity Wall Street 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 The Choir of Trinity Wall Street 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 The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise Stephanie Martin's O Sacrum Convivium.
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