Church of the Heavenly Rest

One of the most beautiful and visually striking landmarks in New York City, the Church of the Heavenly Rest has been a cornerstone of the Upper East Side community since it first opened for services on Easter Sunday in 1929.

Situated at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 90th Street, the church stands on land once owned by the widow of Andrew Carnegie. Constructed from limestone in the neo-Gothic style with distinctive Art Deco details, it remains an architectural treasure.

Thanks to early engineering innovations, the church was built with an open floor plan, allowing visitors to see the full interior upon entering. With a seating capacity of 1,050, the total cost of construction was $32.2 million. In recognition of its historical and cultural significance, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2021.

Inside the Nave, stained glass windows illustrate key events in the Christian calendar. The western wall features lancet-arched windows, while a grand rose window adorns the eastern wall. The building also includes a small chapel and a large gathering space known as Darlington Hall.

In more recent years, the church expanded to include the Undercroft—a versatile space designed to host community-focused programming and events, extending the church’s mission to serve an even broader audience.

Upper East Side, NY