Grace Episcopal Church, Syracuse

Grace Episcopal Church, located on Madison Avenue near Syracuse University, is a historic parish known for its enduring commitment to social justice and inclusivity. Established in 1871, the current Gothic Revival building鈥攄esigned by Horatio Nelson White鈥攚as completed in 1876 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. With its stone structure and pointed arches, the church is a striking architectural presence in Syracuse鈥檚 University Hill neighborhood.

Grace Church holds a unique place in Episcopal history as the national shrine to Saint David Pendleton Oakerhater, a Cheyenne warrior and former prisoner who was baptized and ordained at the church in the late 19th century. Elevated to sainthood in 1992, Oakerhater鈥檚 legacy is honored through stained-glass windows installed in 2004 and a celebration in 2005 with his descendants. The church remains a symbol of reconciliation and Indigenous representation within the Episcopal tradition.

Throughout the 20th century, Grace became a leader in social integration and civil rights advocacy. In 1957, it merged with Saint Philip鈥檚, a historically Black Episcopal congregation, forming one of the nation鈥檚 first racially integrated Episcopal churches. During the 1960s, Grace hosted Head Start programs, trained Peace Corps and Vista volunteers, and supported civil rights groups like CORE.

Today, Grace Episcopal Church stands out for its progressive ministry within the Diocese of Central New York. It continues to welcome a diverse congregation across race, gender, orientation, and belief, reflecting its long-standing role as a spiritual home for equity, compassion, and activism.

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Sight Name: Grace Episcopal Church
Sight Location: Syracuse, USA (See walking tours in Syracuse)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Historical Churches Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Syracuse, New York

Create Your Own Walk in Syracuse

Creating your own self-guided walk in Syracuse is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Historical Churches Walking Tour

Syracuse, NY is a melting pot of religious traditions and beliefs, which is evident in the local religious architecture. Most Christians in the city are Catholic, reflecting the influence of 19th and early 20th-century immigration patterns, when numerous Irish, German, Italian and eastern European settlers. Other than Catholic, there are dozens of other churches in the city, including Eastern... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles

Syracuse Introduction Walking Tour

Syracuse is New York's fifth-most populous city and the county seat of Onondaga County. However, these facts only tell part of this city's story. As a significant crossroads throughout local and national history, this city has had a diverse population and contributed much to the nation's economy.

The area's original inhabitants were members of the Onondaga Nation, a tribe... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles

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