Compline by Candlelight

Sundays, 7–7:30pm | St. Paul’s Chapel

Trinity Choir; 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 Trinity Choir 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, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast apps. Listen to the latest episodes below.

Special Services During Holy Week

Special Compline by Candlelight on Palm Sunday 
April 13, 7pm | St. Paul’s Chapel 

Works include Take Him Earth for Cherishing-Herbert Howells. Music by Trinity Choir and Downtown Voices. 

Tenebrae
April 16, 6pm | Trinity Church 

During the Tenebrae service, we reflect on Jesus’s journey to the cross. The lights in the church are extinguished until only one candle remains, a symbol of Jesus. This candle is then hidden, suggesting the apparent victory of death. A loud noise will fill the church, symbolizing the earthquake at the time of the resurrection. The hidden candle is restored to its place and by its light all depart in silence.