THE REREDOS (completed in the 1920's) above the Altar is in the form of a triptych, with Christ in the center flanked by two angels bearing the sword and the crown, symbols of the church militant and the church triumphant. It was given in memory of Gerold Dieterlen, killed in action on the Hindenberg Line by a machine gun in September of 1918.

THE MOSAICS, to either side of the flanking figure in the reredos, rendered in traditional Byzantine iconography, are of the four evangelists, Matthew (pictured), Mark, Luke and John, and the two primary apostles, Peter and Paul. They were completed in the 1950's.

THE PULPIT, decorated with "The Winged Creatures," also depicts the four evangelists. The winged man is the symbol of St. Matthew, the lion represents St. Mark, and the ox St. Luke, while St. John is represented by the eagle because "from first to last his gospel soars on eagles' wings to the very throne of Heaven."

THE REAR GALLERY ORGAN is an instrument of 43 stops and 67 ranks, comprising more than three thousand pipes. The wood case-work is from the original 1903 E.M. Skinner instrument. The latest rebuilding of the organ was in 1976 by Robert Turner.

For specifics on the organ, click here.

HOLY TRINITY was founded on January 27, 1868, by New York City Lutherans committed to a public ministry of Word and Sacrament in the English language. The cornerstone of the current edifice on Central Park West was laid November 9, 1902 and the church was dedicated May 10, 1904. The structure, with its sanctuary furniture and ornamentation, was designed by William Schickel, a native of Germany and a New York architect of national reputation noted for his church buildings. Its gothic revival style derives from southern Germany. After his arrival in this country Schickel apprenticed in the offices of William Morris Hunt and Henry Fernbach before establishing his own firm. Among his other structures are St. Ignatius Loyola RC Church, the Constable Building, and the original Lenox Hill and St. Vincent's Hospitals.

THE CHANCEL (pictured left) contains the reredos and mosaic on its rear wall and an altar area consisting of the original altar and a new freestanding altar which was dedicated in September of 1999. The original altar, of white marble, contains an original rendering of the traditional symbols of the Holy Trinity consisting of three small, and three large interlocking circles, and a triangle, all within a single, encompassing circle symbolizing unity. The new freestanding altar, designed by Carlton Architects, was constructed by Jean Claude Marchiano, stonecarver at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC.

THE MEMORIAL STAINED GLASS WINDOWS, of French and English glass with French mineral colors, are among the finest in church architecture. The north windows depict the Nativity, Baptism of our Lord, the Sermon on the Mount, and the Last Supper. The south windows represent the Crucifixion, Resurrection, Pentecost, and the Second Coming, this last (pictured) by the Tiffany Studio of New York City. Above the pipe organ, facing Central Park West, is our signature Rose Window.

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