old new york
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. He wrote, the
“want of a publick school in the City of New York where . . . poor
children . . . might be taught gratis is the occasion of an abundance
of irreligion.” But when public support shifted toward the newly
established Free School Society with its vision of universal, free
public education in the early years of the new republic, the city
withdrew financial support from church charity schools.
Accordingly, Trinity School reincorporated as a private school in
1825. By the late 1880s, it accrued a large enough endowment
to undergo a major expansion, and to offer generous
financial assistance to those in need. This year, Trinity is
proudly celebrating its 300th anniversary with 20 special events,
culminating with an end-of-the-year concert celebration at
Carnegie Hall followed by cocktails at MoMA.
Both Collegiate School and Trinity School redefine the term
“little red schoolhouse” with their impressive histories and landmark designs. Below, Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel examines
the architectural beauty of these two outstanding private schools.
West End Collegiate Church and Collegiate School
W. 77th Street and West End Avenue
Designated a landmark on January 11, 1967
Architect: Robert W. Gibson
Built: 1892-1893
West End Collegiate Church and Collegiate School were
designed by Robert W. Gibson in his own romantic combination
of Dutch and Flemish Renaissance elements—appropriate to a
church with deep roots in Dutch New Amsterdam. Both fresh
and flamboyant, the design lends an old-world charm to the
surrounding residential area. The yellow-brown brick church is
distinguished by the elaborate gable of its façade. Its window,
doorways, corners and the 18 steps of the central gable are all
enriched with stonework, which frequently alternates with
stripes of brick. The steps of the main gable and the dormer
In response to the needs of a growing urban population
pushing northward at the end of the 19th century, Trinity
Church moved its school affiliate to the Upper West Side.
windows that thrust out from the red-tile roof erupt into
terra cotta brackets and pinnacles. Quoins define the corners
and underscore the zigzag outlines of the gables—a handsome,
lacy spine thrust up from the center of the high-pitched roof.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TRINIT Y SCHOOL ARCHIVES. USE RESTRICTED TO TRINIT Y SCHOOL, PUBLIC RELATIONS PURPOSES, AND OTHER SPECIFICALLY GRANTED NON-COMMERCIAL USE.
Trinity School and the
former St. Agnes Parish House
121-147 W. 91st Street
Designated a landmark on August 1, 1989
Architects: Charles C. Haight (school) and
William Appleton Potter (Parish House)
Built: 1893-94 (school) and c. 1888-92 (Parish House)
The facade of Trinity School’s 139 West 91st Street building (Johnson Wing) circa
1919. The annex and steeple of St. Agnes Chapel can be seen to the right and
back. Dedicated in 1895 to house all 12 grades, it is now home to only grades
kindergarten through four.
Founded by Trinity Church in 1709 as the only coeducational
school in the colonies for children from disadvantaged
backgrounds, Trinity School later became a private preparatory
academy. In response to the needs of a growing urban
population pushing northward at the end of the 19th century,
Trinity Church moved its school affiliate to the Upper West Side
and established the St. Agnes Chapel complex next door. Only
the Parish House still exists; it was purchased by Trinity School
in 1943 and has been remodeled into classrooms. Trinity
School’s smooth walls, tall bay divisions and active roofline
reflect the English Collegiate Gothic style. The Parish House, a
simply designed, massive three-story structure, was originally
attached to the apse of a cruciform church. The wide and
narrow courses of brownstone and granite and deeply set
windows reveal the influence of H.H. Richardson. ;
