4. It Was Run by Loyalists During the American Revolutionary War

Following General Washington’s retreat after the disastrous Battle of Long Island, New York City became the British Army’s main base of operations in North America. Clergy Trinity Church was required to be Loyalist. After the end of the war, the church’s rector, Rev. Samuel Provoost, amended the charter of Trinity Church and deleted the provision that mandates its loyalty to the English crown. Provoost was later appointed the first Bishop of the Diocese of New York.