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 01/20/19
January 27, 2019
Find peace and stillness as you end one week and begin the next. Come as you are, find a seat, and hold a candle.
Compline 01/06/19
January 13, 2019
Find peace and stillness as you end one week and begin the next. Come as you are, find a seat, and hold a candle.
Compline 12/30/18
January 6, 2019
Find peace and stillness as you end one week and begin the next. Come as you are, find a seat, and hold a candle.
Compline 12/23/18
December 30, 2018
End the day in a way so old it’s new. Compline is a candlelit service, featuring The Choir of Trinity Wall Street with chants, improvisation, psalmody, and newly-composed sacred works.
Cristóbal de Morales Puer natus est
The Choir of Trinity Wall Street
Compline 12/16/18
December 23, 2018
End the day in a way so old it’s new. Compline is a candlelit service, featuring The Choir of Trinity Wall Street with chants, improvisation, psalmody, and newly-composed sacred works.
Compline 12/09/18
December 16, 2018
Find peace and stillness as you end one week and begin the next. Come as you are, find a seat, and hold a candle. For thirty minutes let mantra-like...
Compline 12/02/18
December 9, 2018
Find peace and stillness as you end one week and begin the next. Come as you are, find a seat, and hold a candle.
Compline by Candlelight: November 25, 2018
December 2, 2018
Find peace and stillness as you end one week and begin the next. Experience Compline by Candlelight in the tranquility of St. Paul’s Chapel, one of...
Compline 11/18/18
November 25, 2018
End the day in a way so old it’s new. Compline is a candlelit service, featuring The Choir of Trinity Wall Street with chants, improvisation, psalmody, and newly-composed sacred works.
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