Holiday Church Tour Bookmark and Share

“Francie thought it was the most beautiful church in Brooklyn.  It was made of old gray stone and had twin spires that rose cleanly into the sky, high above the tallest tenements.  Inside, the high vaulted ceilings, narrow deep-set stained-glass windows and elaborately carved altars made it a miniature cathedral.” 
- Betty Smith’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, published in 1943

In the Spirit of the Season: A Christmas Tour of Most Holy Trinity-St. Mary’s Parish Grounds

Discover the beautiful church and parish grounds of Most Holy Trinity – St. Mary, built in 1885 as “The German Cathedral” and described in author Betty Smith’s famous novel, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Led by Father Timothy Dore and Turnstile’s founder Cindy VandenBosch, this tour will venture up into the bell tower, down into the crypt, and even take a peek into the rathskeller rectory.  Attendees will learn about the German and Irish heritage of the congregation, highlighting its early beginnings in the mid-1800s with stories of the origins of Santa Claus and Christmas trees, and learn about more recent immigrants from Latin America, the Carribean, and Poland who have brought new traditions to the church, from Noche Buena to the Three Kings Day Parade.

Dates: Saturday, December 15th and Saturday, January 5th
Time: 2:30PM-4:30PM
Admission: $20/person (Click here to view schedule and purchase tickets)

View Schedule and Buy Tickets

Proceeds support a good cause: In the spirit of the season, this special tour will support the Trinity Human Service Center, which serves people in need in North Brooklyn with food, clothing, and social services.  The Trinity Human Service Center is a non-sectarian non-profit organization which has a pantry and provides case assistance, classes, and material support to people in the area.

A special thanks to our tour partners: Turnstile Tours is pleased to offer this tour in partnership with the Parish of Most Holy Trinity – St. Mary.  We are especially grateful to the parishioners for welcoming the public and sharing their story on this tour.  Special thanks as well to our friends at Urban Oyster, the Brooklyn Historical Society, St. Nick’s Alliance, and Neighbors Allied for Good Growth for getting out the word about this tour and helping make it possible!

2 hours
Most Holy Trinity – St. Mary’s Church. Directions provided with reservation. Advance reservations required.
$20/person. Tickets must be purchased for all tour attendees, including children (ages 5 and up).  Advance ticket purchase is required. Proceeds from this tour will be donated by Turnstile Tours to the Trinity Human Service Center, a non-sectarian non-profit organization that provides support to economically disadvantaged residents in North Brooklyn, including case assistance, food, and gifts at holiday time. 
If you would like to donate to the Human Service Center beyond the price of your ticket, a donation box will be out in the rathskeller where we will end the tour or you are welcome to bring a holiday gift for a child or canned goods.  If you’d like to learn more about other ways you can help the Trinity Human Service Center, from donations to volunteer opportunities, please click here or you may also send an email directly to the Trinity Human Service Center at  THSCenter@hotmail.com
This sanctuary of the church is fully accessible for individuals and groups who use wheelchairs, however climbing stairs is required to access the bell tower, crypt, and rectory basement.  Please call (347) 903-8687 for more information.
If you’d like to book a tour of the church for a private group, we offer them on a regular basis and on most days of the week.  Please contact us directly at info@turnstiletours.com.