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; 8–8:30pm in St. Paul’s Chapel, at 7pm starting June 9

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.

Recent Recordings

243 results
MusicOctober 8, 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 Libby Larsen's God so loved the world.
MusicOctober 1, 2023

Compline by Candlelight

Compline by Candlelight provides peace and stillness as one week ends and another begins. Tonight, hear Downtown Voices improvise Arnold Schoenberg's Friede auf Erden, Op. 13 and Randall Svane's The Lord’s Prayer (US Premiere).
Special Compline: Downtown Voices
MusicSeptember 24, 2023

Special Compline: Downtown Voices

Join Downtown Voices on September 24, at 8pm, in Trinity Church for Compline by Candlelight, an ancient rite of prayers to end the day. Stephen Sands, conductor

Arnold Schoenberg Friede auf Erden, Op. 13
Randall Svane The Lord’s Prayer (US Premiere)

MusicSeptember 24, 2023

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. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise Josquin des Prez's Missa Pange Lingua (Kyrie and Agnus Dei)
MusicSeptember 17, 2023

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. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise Heinrich Schütz's Selig sind die Toten
MusicSeptember 10, 2023

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. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina's Ecce nunc benedicite Dominum
MusicSeptember 3, 2023

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. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise Undine Smith Moore's We Shall Walk through the Valley.
MusicAugust 27, 2023

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. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise William Byrd's Look down, O Lord.
MusicAugust 20, 2023

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. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise Maurice Duruflé's Tota pulchra es
MusicAugust 13, 2023

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. Tonight, hear The Choir of Trinity Wall Street improvise Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina's Sicut cervus

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