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 14, 2021
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Set in the tranquility of St. Paul’s Chapel, one of the...
Compline by Candlelight
October 24, 2021
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Set in the tranquility of St. Paul’s Chapel, one of the...
Compline by Candlelight
October 10, 2021
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Set in the tranquility of St. Paul’s Chapel, one of the...
Compline by Candlelight
October 3, 2021
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Set in the tranquility of St. Paul’s Chapel, one of the...
Compline by Candlelight
September 26, 2021
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Set in the tranquility of St. Paul’s Chapel, one of the...
Compline by Candlelight
September 12, 2021
Set in the tranquility of Trinity Church, this reflective night service includes anthems and improvisations sung by The Choir of Trinity Wall Street. There’s nothing to do but listen, breathe, and be. At the start of this Compline by Candlelight service the 48-hour vigil at St. Paul’s Chapel will conclude, as the vigil candle is returned to Trinity Church via a procession on Broadway beginning at 7:45pm.
Anthems include:
Glenn L. Rudolph/Thomas Troeger – The Dream Isaiah Saw
Sarah McLachlan – Prayer of St. Francis
Allan Naplan – Al Shlosha D’Varim
Gerre Hancock – Deep River
Ethan McGrath – Malala’s Dream
J. S. Bach – Dona nobis pacem from Mass in B minor
Compline Service Bulletin, September 12, 2021
Trinity Church is now open for in-person worship for special services and on Sundays at 11:15am. You may also tune in online at 9:15am and 11:15am on Sundays and at 12:05pm Monday-Friday. Read more about the return to in-person worship here. Masks and social distancing will be required and capacity limits observed.
This service will be streamed live and available for on-demand viewing. If you miss the live stream, check back later; the on-demand video will be posted shortly. You may also watch on Facebook Live.
Compline by Candlelight
September 5, 2021
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Set in the tranquility of St. Paul’s Chapel, one of the...
Compline by Candlelight
August 29, 2021
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Set in the tranquility of St. Paul’s Chapel, one of the...
Compline by Candlelight
August 22, 2021
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Set in the tranquility of St. Paul’s Chapel, one of the...
Compline by Candlelight
August 15, 2021
Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Set in the tranquility of St. Paul’s Chapel, one of the...
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