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 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.

MusicJanuary 27, 2019

Compline 01/20/19

Find peace and stillness as you end one week and begin the next. Come as you are, find a seat, and hold a candle.

MusicJanuary 20, 2019

Compline 01/13/19

Find peace and stillness as you end one week and begin the next.

MusicJanuary 13, 2019

Compline 01/06/19

Find peace and stillness as you end one week and begin the next. Come as you are, find a seat, and hold a candle.

MusicJanuary 6, 2019

Compline 12/30/18

Find peace and stillness as you end one week and begin the next. Come as you are, find a seat, and hold a candle.

MusicDecember 30, 2018

Compline 12/23/18

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