Trinity Chapel, New York University

Holy Trinity Chapel of the Generoso Pope Catholic Center of New York University Catholic Student Center was the former New York University Catholic Center and Catholic chapel, located at 58 Washington Square South, West Village, Manhattan, New York. It was built 1961-1964 and was a prominent example of the Brutalist architectural style, executed in reinforced concrete and modernist stained glass. It was designed by the noted American architectural firm of Eggers and Higgins. The chapel occupied highly desirable land on Washington Square and a decision was made to close the chapel and redirect Catholic Center services to a nearby parish, the Church of St. Joseph on Sixth Avenue at Washington Place. It was rented to the Washington Square Methodist Episcopal Church congregation when that congregation left their 1860s church in 2004. The New York Times reported that it was sold in early 2009 for $25 million for redevelopment to the university. "The fate of the chapel has created little stir, perhaps because many residents aren’t very fond of its looks. Built in the 1960s, the chapel incorporates elements of Brutalist architecture, known for its liberal use of concrete.... 'It’s not terribly pleasing to the eye,' said Brad Hoylman, chairman of Community Board 2, which includes Washington Square Park. He added, however, that there was at least some anxiety about what may replace it." The AIA Guide to NYC (2010) referred to the structure as still standing, describing the chapel as "awkward Modernism from a time when the search for form preoccupied American architects."