On September 11, 2001, the Our Lady of the Rosary staff were present. The shrine became a refuge during the day. Remarkably our land line phone still worked and we had water. Both were extensively used. A continuous rosary was started and Masses were offered. We also used what seemed an endless supply of improvised damp paper towel wipes and made masks for the people fleeing the dust cloud. Around 6:00pm, the lay staff and about six others were finally evacuated by the last tugboats to leave from the park.
Our shrine remained open during the weeks when the neighborhood was a frozen zone and Battery Park was filled with encampments of NYPD, the National Guard and NYFD. Hospitality, memorial services and vigils were daily activities.
The whole Trinity Parish was welcomed and worshipped here each Sunday until the frozen zone was lifted and their church rwas opened on November 4th, 2001.
The work of the faith community and people of good will during those times was an inspiration that lasts until this day.