Compline by Candlelight

Men and women of The Choir of Trinity Wall Street standing in St. Paul's Chapel, wearing all black, holding candles and singing.

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 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.

MusicNovember 17, 2019

Compline by Candlelight

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...

MusicNovember 10, 2019

Compline by Candlelight

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...

MusicNovember 3, 2019

Compline by Candlelight

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...

MusicOctober 27, 2019

Compline by Candlelight

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...

MusicOctober 20, 2019

Compline by Candlelight

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...

MusicOctober 13, 2019

Compline by Candlelight

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...

MusicOctober 6, 2019

Compline by Candlelight

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...

MusicSeptember 29, 2019

Compline by Candlelight

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...

MusicSeptember 22, 2019

Compline by Candlelight

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...

MusicSeptember 15, 2019

Compline by Candlelight

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...