Found in 1868 and established in 1904 at its home on Central Park West near Lincoln Center, Holy Trinity sits at the forefront of music, liturgy, and service in New York City.
Holy Trinity is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the largest progressive Lutheran body in the United States. As Lutherans, we go about Christianity in a Lutheran way, emphasizing that we are reconciled with God (justified) not by anything we do, but through and because of God’s love, freely given (grace). We love questions more than quick fixes (paradox); we read the Bible in a way that honors it as the source and norm of faith, but not as a literal handbook. As Lutherans, we also lift up the gifts and capacity for ministry (vocation) that everyone holds.
Holy Trinity is a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation welcoming all persons in Christ’s name regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, gender, class or other possible exclusionary distinctions. We seek an active commitment to inclusiveness in membership, evangelism, and social outreach. With a heart for the city, a passion for justice, and a commitment to the arts, we seek to be a place where all God’s people will know they are loved. Welcome. We’ve been waiting for you. There is a place for you here.
Click here to view our 2023 Impact Statement.
With its signature copper spire (flèche), rose window, and red entry doors on Central Park West, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church has been a very visible and prominent part of New York’s Upper West Side community for over a century.
Read moreHoly Trinity holds its weekly Mass on Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m., and over the course of the year celebrates around 75 liturgies, including church festivals and Bach Vespers.
Holy Trinity worships in the Lutheran tradition, with a strong emphasis on preaching, hymn-singing, music, and the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. What makes worship at Holy Trinity particularly unique in New York and across the country is the juxtaposition of beautiful ancient traditions, including chanted prayers and psalms, organ and choral music representing over a thousand years of music literature, the weekly celebration of Holy Communion, fine paraments and clergy vestments, and the occasional use of incense, with preaching and prayer that is explicitly contemporary in tone and oriented towards justice. The worship time does not change during the summer. You can watch our live-stream on demand at here.
Music at our liturgies is provided by the Holy Trinity Parish Choir, which consists of professional and auditioned volunteer singers. The Holy Trinity Parish Choir not only sings at our weekly Mass from October through June, but the choir leads our annual service of Lessons & Carols, for which five new works have been commissioned since 2020. If you are interested in learning more about the Holy Trinity Parish Choir please email office@holytrinitynyc.org.
Service & Advocacy is an important part of Holy Trinity's identity. Anchored by two longstanding ministries, we seek to provide opportunities for not just outreach but fostering a sense of justice both inside and outside our red doors.
Read moreHoly Trinity regularly welcomes new members into this community of faith. Both legally and theologically, every church needs people who say "I'm in" who will not only participate in the overall life of the congregation, but who will lead the church in the ways the Holy Spirit is moving. There are three basic requirements to membership, which include previous baptism in any Christian tradition or a desire to be baptized; regular attendance at Mass throughout the year; and a contribution of record at least once each year. There is no formal pre-membership class, although new members often join Pastor Tim for a meal and conversation about Holy Trinity and Lutherans.
New members are typically welcomed in a brief rite that takes place during a regular Sunday Mass. If you have any questions about what membership means at Holy Trinity, email office@holytrinitynyc.org.
The Reverend Timothy Weisman is a husband, musician, change agent, and Lutheran pastor.
Read moreAustin Philemon is an organist, conductor, and composer, and multi-instrumental performer.
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