Visitor Center at Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Visitor Center for Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site is the single-story brick and stone building located next to the church along South Columbus Avenue. It was originally a mule barn built around 1830, but once automobiles put mules and horses on the unemployment line, it was converted into the Church Hall and used for meetings, diners, and other events.

OPERATING HOURS

• January through June
  • Mondays through Fridays and the second Saturday of the month
  • 10 AM to 5 PM
• July through December
  • Tuesdays through Saturdays
  • 9 AM to 5 PM
• Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Years Day

Times can always change, so be sure to get the latest schedule on the National Park Service’s official Operating Hours and Seasons web page for Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site.

AMENITIES

• Information desk where you can pick up a park brochure and cemetery walking tour brochure
• Meeting place for church tours
• Park film
• Small museum
• Restrooms

Visitor Center information desk, Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site

PARK FILM

A fifteen-minute film is shown on demand and at the start of a guided-tour. The focus of the park, and thus the film, is not so much the church itself, but the church’s involvement in significant events that took place in Eastchester, New York (name of the town where the church was located at the time), and the surrounding Manchester County area during the colonial era up through the American Revolution. The Battle of Pell’s Point and the church’s use as a hospital after the battle are the main topics. The film is suitable for all ages.

MUSEUM

The museum at the Visitor Center is divided into two sections. One area is dedicated to rotating exhibits that change on a regular basis. If you visit Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site a second time, chances are there will be new topics to learn about.

Rotating exhibit area at the Visitor Center for Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site

The second part of the museum is a permanent exhibit that focuses on the American Revolution and how it affected the congregation of Saint Paul’s Church. The most traumatic event was the Battle of Pell’s Point that was fought just a mile away on October 18, 1776. Afterwards the church building, which was in the process of being built, was used as a hospital by Hessian troops: German soldiers leased to the British by the German government to fight the Americans. During this time the old, wooden church from the 1690s was torn down and used for firewood. Models depicting the church after the battle are on display, and various information panels describe the events that took place.

Permanent exhibit area at the Visitor Center focuses on the American Revolution, Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site

Model depicting the 1760s Saint Paul’s Church and the 1690s wooden church destroyed during the American Revolution, Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site

There is also a display of military uniforms from the American Revolution. Represented are typical uniforms of both American and British foot soldiers and those worn by the Hessians.

Display of military uniforms worn during the American Revolution on display at the Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site Visitor Center

Also inside the Visitor Center are a few of the oldest tombstones from the Saint Paul’s Church Cemetery. They were moved inside to prevent them from being stolen. Replicas now mark the actual graves outside.

Old tombstones from the Saint Paul’s Cemetery on display inside the Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site Visitor Center

Replica tombstone on the grave of Ezebeth Clements in the Saint Paul’s Cemetery, Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site

For younger visitors to the Visitor Center, there is a table of games that were played in Colonial times.

Table of Colonial-era games at the Visitor Center for Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site

SCHEDULING YOUR TIME

Plan to spend at least 30 minutes at the Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site Visitor Center, which gives you time to watch the park film and browse through the exhibits. If you want to read all of the information, give yourself a full hour.

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