Saint Thomas Church

The basics

The church is open to the public and free to visit, allowing you to admire the ornate century-old interior. It may be included as a stop on walking tours through Midtown Manhattan. Music aficionados should consult the calendar of events, as classical music concerts and organ recitals are held regularly throughout the year. Choir performances—known as Choral Evensong—occur several times a week. It’s also possible to attend mass or other Episcopal services.

Things to know before you go

• Concert attendees are typically asked to refrain from using their phones during performances, including to record. On the church's website, you can buy albums featuring choir hymns, sacred music, and Christmas tunes.
• While the church has no official dress code, modest attire is the norm. That means covering up knees, shoulders, and chests.
• The church has restrooms. However, be prepared for a long wait before and after busy performances.
• Visiting the church is free, but donations are always welcome. Concerts tend to be ticketed unless otherwise noted.
• Pay attention to the organ, one of NYC's most impressive, with 7,069 pipes.

How to get there

Saint Thomas Church is located on West 53rd Street, near the intersection of Fifth Avenue and well-known attractions like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and Rockefeller Center. It is just a couple of blocks from Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, making combining both religious landmarks in a single visit easy. By subway, take any of the E, M to Fifth Ave-53rd Street, B, D, F, M to 47-50th Street, or the N, R, W to 49th Street.

When to get there

For choir performances, come for the Choral Eurachist late Sunday morning or the Choral Evensong on weekday evenings. Special events and concerts happen around Easter and Christmas when you can also see the Rockefeller tree and festive Fifth Avenue department store windows. Aim for a weekday morning or afternoon outside the holidays if you’re interested in a quieter, more contemplative experience.

The heart of Roman Catholic New York

Located on Fifth Avenue (around the corner from Saint Thomas), Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is a New York City institution that's been the religious home of the Big Apple’s Catholic communities since the late 1800s. Today, it still serves as the principal church of the Archdiocese of New York. The impressive neo-Gothic building—with soaring spires and stained-glass windows—is also popular with tourists, so don’t miss a stop here while in Midtown.