A Celtic Cross for the Birds

In the graveyard of Trinity Church Cemetery, Manhattan, across the street from the North Presbyterian Church of Manhattan, stands a large Celtic Cross that dominates the immediate landscape and marks the grave of John James Audubon. I recently discovered the site, or rather had it pointed out to me by my wife, when we attending an event at the North Presbyterian Church of Manhattan.

My wife and I have been intrigued by Celtic Crosses and have undertaken pilgrimages to see many in Ireland and Scotland on two different occasions. Although the Celtic Cross that marks Audubon’s grave is far younger than most Celtic Crosses in Scotland and Ireland it is just as impressive, if not more so, rivaling crosses on Iona, as well as in Monasterboice and Clonmacnoise.

Thanks to some excellent research by Corey Finger and reported on the 10,000 Birds blog, I learned alot about the Audubon monument, including that the original block of North River Bluestone used for it weighed 14 ton. Once carved, the final cross weighed seven ton and stands 19 feet high.

Audubon is most likely buried in Trinity Church Cemetery because Audubon donated the land for it. What I cannot figure out is why a Celtic Cross was chosen for the monument’s design. Audubon was neither Irish nor Scottish and as far as I have been able to determine had no Celtic roots. I am not she whether or not he was a Christian. The monument was not Audubon’s or his family’s choice. It was the choice of a group of New Yorkers intent on more properly marking his grave. So why did they choose a Celtic Cross to do so? Why not a giant bird? Or a representation of one or more of his paintings?

If you find yourself in the vicinity of Trinity Church on the upper west side of Manhattan, walk into the graveyard and see this Celtic Cross for yourself. Standing near the cross, close your eyes, feel the breeze on your face, block out the noise of traffic, listen the songs of birds, and imagine you are in the Scotland or Ireland.

A Tale of Two North Churches

There are 96 congregations in New York City Presbytery, a regional governing body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Those 96 particular churches are all located within the five boroughs of New York City. So what do you think there odds are that two of the churches would both be named “North Church”? Believe it or not, there are two, one in Manhattan and one in Queens.

For the past two and half years I have been serving as Designated Pastor of the North Church in Queens. Twice in the past few months, however, I have attended New York City Presbytery events at North Church Manhattan.

North Church Manhattan is located at 525 W. 155th Street, placing it in northern Manhattan. North Church Queens is located at 25-33 154th Street in Queens, placing it in northern Queens. Thus the “North” moniker of both churches is appropriate. But that is about where the similarities end.

North Church Queens is located in a rather quiet residential area of single family homes. The small New England style sanctuary, which can seat around 120, was built in 1940. North Church Manhattan sits amid two of Manhattan’s busiest streets and there are several large apartment buildings nearby. I estimate that the North Manhattan sanctuary, built in 1904, can seat 400-500 or more.

North Church Manhattan is currently served by Stated Supply Pastor the Reverend Christopher Smith, pictured top right. The other photos contrast the appearance of North Church Queens (on the left) with North Church Manhattan (on the right).