The original building housing the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church was an 1832 converted rowhouse that was completely destroyed on 9/11. After years of uncertainty surrounding the church’s location within the World Trade Center complex, financial difficulties, and construction delays, the new church building and National Shrine for the Greek Orthodox Church was completed and consecrated in 2022.

Conceived by Santiago Calatrava with the symbolic use of light, the church’s lighting, designed and implemented by DLR Group, reinforces the spirit of rebirth and continuity for the Church and the city. The lighting design carefully balances the use of both daylight and electric light internally and externally.

On this tour with DLR Group staff, learn about how they transformed Calatrava’s vision into material reality and how they created the lighting effects that turn St. Nicholas into a standout jewel in lower Manhattan.

AIA CES credit (1 LU | HSW) is available for this program.

OHNY at Night: This tour is part of a series of evening tours spotlighting the work of lighting designers produced in partnership with the Illuminating Engineering Society New York City Section (IESNYC). Explore more.

There is a wheelchair-accessible ramp to the elevated plaza on the east end of the site.

About 15 minutes of this hour-long tour will take place outside. Dress for the weather.