The third and existing Trinity church was built from 1841 to 1846 by Richard Upjohn. Upjohn was born on January 22, 1802 in Dorset, England. He was trained in cabinetmaking and immigrated to New York in 1829. His design for Trinity was greatly inspired by the English architect and writer, Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin. American architects had been looking to bring the European gothic style to American for several years, but only until Pugin published his drawings and measurements of old gothic cathedrals did this become a reality. Upjohn’s design for the new church was incredibly similar to Pugin’s  “Ideal Church” which he published in 1841. The only noticeable characteristic that Upjohn added to the design was a clock on Trinity’s exterior facade. Besides designing Trinity church, Upjohn’s contributions also include founding the American Institute of Architects. Upjohn is memorialized at Trinity by a commemorative plaque on the floor leading into the church.

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A commemorative plate dedicated to Trinity’s architect, Richard Upjohn.

 

 

See also, Trinity Church