St. Paul’s Chapel Receives 2 Millionth Visitor

By Maria Luisa Torres

Video The 2 Millionth Visitor

Halfway through a weeklong visit to New York City, sisters Linda Reich and Annette Lemos of Modesto, California, walked into St. Paul’s Chapel on May 5 to “honor those lost at Ground Zero.” They also walked into a chapel spotlight, of sorts.

Greeted by Alessandra Pena, program associate for St. Paul’s, Reich and Lemos were promptly informed that Reich was the two-millionth visitor since St. Paul’s was reopened to the public months after 9/11.

On May 5, the Rev. Dr. James Cooper, rector (at microphone), addresses those touring St. Paul's Chapel, introducing Californian Linda Reich (third from left) as the two-millionth visitor to the chapel since it was reopened eight months after 9/11. Also on hand to greet Reich were the Rev. Canon Anne Mallonee, vicar (far left), and the Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke, parish missioner.

“Your presence here is a sign of the ongoing hope that this chapel represents,” said the Rev. Canon Anne Mallonee, vicar, who presented Reich with a gift basket of parish memorabilia and a certificate documenting the unique occasion.

The Rev. Dr. James H. Cooper, rector of Trinity Church, greeted Reich and those touring the chapel, and the Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke, parish missioner, said a prayer for peace with Reich.

For Reich, the experience at St. Paul’s was both surprising and memorable.

“At first I thought, ‘Wow, people in New York are really friendly,” she said with a laugh. She added that visiting St. Paul’s was important – and deeply moving – for both sisters.

“Even though it’s been more than three years since 9/11, we wanted to come here to show we still care [and] pay our respects to those lost in the tragedy,” said Reich.

Built in 1766, St. Paul’s is adjacent to the site of the former World Trade Center towers. For eight months after Sept. 11, 2001, the chapel served as a sanctuary for hundreds of recovery workers, giving them a place to eat, sleep, and receive emotional, spiritual and medical support from chapel volunteers. St. Paul’s remained closed to the public for the ministry’s duration.

Those sharing in the celebration included (from left) Canon Mallonee, Tay Cooper, Dr. Cooper, Reich's sister Annette Lemos, Reich, and Dr. Hoke.

On the first anniversary of 9/11, the Parish of Trinity Church-St. Paul’s Chapel reopened the doors of the chapel and paid homage to the 9/11 ministry with an exhibit titled “Out of the Dust: A Year of Ministry at Ground Zero.” The current updated exhibit – called “Unwavering Spirit: Hope & Healing at Ground Zero” – was launched in May of 2004.

Posted on Congregational Life May 5, 2005

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