Center Church & Crypt

The Center Church and Crypt is located in downtown New Haven. The crypt is arguably the most famous part of the church, but the building is filled with impressive architecture, a Fisk Pipe Organ, a Waterford Crystal chandelier, a collection of silver items and Tiffany stained-glass windows. The organ was built in 1971 in Gloucester, MA and includes mechanical key and stop action, as well as pipes with 16foot bourdon stops. It is the third organ in the church, following a Hutchinson organ and an Austin organ. Some of the pipes from the Austin were used in the creation of the Fisk. The Crypt has gravestones dating back to 1687. Those touring the church and crypt will learn about three centuries of history and see 137 gravestones including the family of President Rutherford Hayes, Benedict Arnold's wife, the founder of Yale College and Sarah Whiting. The crypt is open from April through October on Thursday and Sunday. Groups tours are available with advance notice. The church was built over a portion of the cemetery and there are between 5,000 and 10,000 unidentified remains in the upper area that belonged to early New England settlers. Visiting the church and cemetery is like taking a step back into colonial times.