When I first saw Grace Church, I wasn’t sure if I was allowed in. The entrance was blocked off with ropes, so I decided to check out the garden. I was taken aback by this oasis right off a busy intersection. The beautiful Gothic arches were so delicately layered, and the huge, intricate spires and tower reminded me of a French cathedral.
The garden path leads straight to this intricate entrance, and continues on to the left.
Once you turn left, the path ends at a beautiful gothic arch entrance enclosed by rod iron gates, surrounded by flowers and a wall covered in vines.
View of the main facade, reflecting a heavily gothic style, from the garden.
This was my favorite view of the church from the garden, which I used for my postcard.
Although I didn’t have the opportunity to go inside, the design of the outside alone implied the church’s significance within the community, and intrigued me to research the location further. I found out that it was designed by a new architect that had not yet erected any buildings, and it’s original location was at Broadway and Rector street. In it’s prime, it was a well known, fashionable church. Everyone who was anyone wanted to hold their wedding here, which inspired the reverse side of my postcard; a photo of General Thomas Thumb marrying his wife, Lavinia. The muted colors and dark appearance inspired my sort of gloomy color scheme, balanced by my Haiku, “No elegance lost/ in the move from Rector street/ only beauty gained.”
