A Rock In A Weary Land

Continuing the 9-11 tribute week:

During all the devastation on that disastrous morning or September 11, 2001, there was one location that stood fast to provide respite for the weary. You may recall in the days and weeks that followed 9-11 a sidewalk with a wrought iron fence that was plastered with flowers, stuffed animals of children form lost parents in the tragedy. That sidewalk passed on the backside of St. Paul's Chapel located on Church street which is really on the west side of the church as the front of the church faces west. Church street got it's name as it was the road at the time in 1769 when St. Paul's was built at the edge of town that led to church on Sunday morning. George Washington at the time when New Your was the nations capital would attend this church for worship.

Why the history lesson? For two reasons. First it is my Blog, and second I am going somewhere with it so stick with me here.

As firemen and rescue workers would get exhausted from the efforts in the initial days of the search and rescue of survivors and then the subsequent recovery efforts, they would seek this small chapel. The image below is an example and one of the pews that workers would sit and rest or lay down and sleep. The inside of the church is more a living memorial and museum of 9-11 but it still conducts services in the small sanctuary.

The first image was take from the Church street side in the courtyard which is actually a cemetery and shows the front of St. Paul's Chapel.

Ok... So where am I going here.

The hotel we stayed at was the Millennium Hilton on 55 Church Street and St' Paul's Chapel is just across the street to the north. On 9-11 the hotel had roughly 80% of its windows destroyed by the collapse of the twin towers. What is truly amassing is the church did not loose on single pane of glass. They say it is because all the trees on the west side of the church absorbed the effects of the buildings collapse. I say it was divine preservation... Not one pane of glass... Wow!

History class os out for the day. Cya tomorrow... Doug