Look to your left for Grace Church, a striking building made of rough, dark brownstone featuring a steeply pitched roof and classic pointed arch windows. Imagine it is the early eighteen forties, and you are a devout Episcopalian in Brooklyn. Every Sunday, you have to drag yourself across the East River on a ferry just to attend Grace Church in Lower Manhattan. That commute got old fast. So, locals started their own parish, which grew so rapidly they had to build something much grander, officially incorporating as Grace Church Brooklyn Heights in eighteen forty seven.
They hired Richard Upjohn, the superstar architect who designed Manhattan's Trinity Church. He gave them this gorgeous Gothic Revival design, meaning it mirrors medieval European cathedrals with those soaring arches meant to draw your eyes heavenward. The land cost fifteen thousand dollars and the structure itself ran about forty six thousand, which altogether is roughly two point four million dollars today. Honestly, two point four million for prime Brooklyn real estate is an absolute steal!
While you are standing outside, let me paint a picture of the spectacular interior. The original plain diamond pane windows were eventually swapped for stunning stained glass by legendary studios like Tiffany. And hovering above the nave, the long central hall where the congregation sits, is a total masterpiece. A recent five million dollar restoration uncovered the original open wooden ceiling beams, known as trusswork. They revealed a breathtaking swath of eight pointed gold, yellow, and red stars painted against a brilliant royal blue background.
Over the decades, notable locals have filled these pews, including folk rock legend Harry Chapin. Right next door is Grace Church School, the oldest preschool in Brooklyn, operating in the Parish House that replaced Upjohn's original school building.
If you want to check out those celestial stars yourself, the church is open Monday through Friday nine AM to five PM, closed Saturdays, and open Sundays eight AM to one PM. It is a true architectural gem with a surprisingly dramatic interior. Enjoy the peaceful vibe here, and just tap play when you reach our next destination.
