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.

Compline by Candlelight art with a candle and the words, Compline: find some peace and choir

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.

Man in a black coat kneels in a dimly-lit St. Paul's Chapel to light a candle.

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.

People at Compline holding candles and service programs

Worship Services

Worship is at the center of life at Trinity Church. 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.

MusicDecember 17, 2023

Special Compline by Candlelight

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.

MusicDecember 10, 2023

Compline by Candlelight

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

MusicDecember 3, 2023

Compline by Candlelight

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

MusicNovember 26, 2023

Compline by Candlelight

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

MusicNovember 19, 2023

Compline by Candlelight

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

MusicNovember 12, 2023

Compline by Candlelight

Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise:

MusicNovember 5, 2023

Compline by Candlelight

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.

MusicOctober 29, 2023

Compline by Candlelight

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.

MusicOctober 22, 2023

Compline by Candlelight

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.

MusicOctober 15, 2023

Compline by Candlelight

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.