You might drop in on a Sunday Morning Eucharist. There you would hear some of New York’s finest church music in a small parish setting. We combine contemporary and traditional musical repertoire, and you would be invited to participate in a liturgy which is easy to follow yet rich in imagery and symbol. You might hear a sermon which made you laugh, which answered a question you always wanted to ask, and which might stir your heart to a deeper commitment to God.

You might attend a class where a local scholar would explain some aspect of tradition or scripture in a way you never heard it explained before, or where the preacher of the day opened for your inspection his or her own thoughts about preparing a homily and studying the readings for a given Sunday or Holy Day.

You might hear about a play reading or a poetry recitation and be amazed that such things happen in churches. And if you attended such an event, you would learn that there are people here who think about how their religious faith is expressed in the arts—all of them, music, painting, literature, and drama.

You might meet people who sign our liturgies for the deaf or who bring children from a neighborhood orphanage to attend Church School and become a part of our community. You would hear about the Open Door, our innovative program to meet the religious needs of those who live with HIV.

You might overhear one of our deacons or a member of our outreach committee talking about some of the ways we are thinking about extending our ministry of service to the community and you might even hear something which piqued your own interest and called you to be involved with us as we seek to extend our ministry.

You surely would see our interesting buildings, a blend of pre-civil war Village brownstone architecture with that of contemporary American design. Our Church was designed by a student and colleague of Frank Lloyd Wright—and it shows! The serenity of St. Benedict’s Courtyard, which is like a hidden garden, often draws parishioners after the liturgy to sit and drink coffee together and make plans for the day.

In any or all of these events and encounters, you are invited to discover who we are and to join us—either for a day’s visit or for a deeper commitment. You are welcome here.

The Rev’d Lloyd E. Prator
Rector