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.

WorshipMarch 19, 2023

Compline by Candlelight: Trinity Youth Chorus

Trinity Youth Chorus joined the Trinity Baroque Orchestra at a special Compline by Candlelight service, for a performance of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater. Pergolesi’s work is based on the Stabat Mater Dolorosa hymn, a powerful meditation on the suffering of Mary as Jesus Christ's mother during his crucifixion.

WorshipMarch 12, 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...

Large group of singers from above in candlelit St. Paul's Chapel

MusicFebruary 26, 2023

Special Compline by Candlelight: Downtown Voices

Kicking off the 2023 concert season, Trinity’s semi-professional choir, Downtown Voices, presented a special Compline by Candlelight with The Choir of Trinity Wall Street and Stephen Sands, conductor. Following the theme of Mahatma Ghandi’s quote, “In the midst of darkness light persists,” during Lent our concerts will explore empathy for others’ suffering and the hope that Easter and Christ’s return bring. In featuring Caroline Shaw’s piece “To the Hands,” we will open our hands and hearts to others and seek healing together.

Caroline Shaw To The Hands
Downtown Voices; The Choir of Trinity Wall Street; Stephen Sands, conductor

Compline by Candlelight is an ancient rite of prayers to end the day, set in the tranquility of St. Paul’s Chapel, one of the oldest buildings in New York City. Can’t make it? Learn more about our Compline podcasts—a way to incorporate this centering ritual from wherever you are.

To watch on-demand, visit our music video portal.