Church of Saint Luke in the Fields

A quasi-​gated private garden that’s a nice spot to read or relax.
«Constructed in 1821, the Church of St. Luke in the Fields stands on a two-​acre city block, much of which has been given over to a series of gardens. The Barrow Street Garden constitutes the more formal environment, a four-​quadrant square design surrounded by warm brick walls. Paths radiate from a central Yellowwood tree and benches line each path. Birds and butterflies proliferate in the lush environment and although one can see tall city buildings beyond the walls from most angles, there is a sense of quiet and privacy that pervades the green space.
Closer to the church lies the Rectory Garden consisting of the oldest planted area on the property. Wrought iron chairs and tables are situated on a brick patio next to a substantive rose garden. Ruins of the former parish (burned in a fire in 1981) and the church itself frame the garden in a less traveled area of the property. Visitors can drink in the history and mission of the place by wandering quietly through the paths or meditating in private nooks amid the foliage. There is a sense of reverence that captures each visitor upon entering the garden gate.
Church of St. Luke in the Fields Gardens
487 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10 014
Admission: Free
Hours: Barrow Street and North gardens open daily from 8am-​dusk.
Hours: Rectory Garden open Mon.-Thurs., 10am-​5pm
Rules: «Please no cell phone conversations, alcohol or smoking within the garden walls.»

Came for a service and enjoyed myself. It seems like such a small thing, but the ministers and the administration were listed with email addresses and phone numbers in the program, making it easy to reach out to them. The garden is beautiful in the summer, and a lovely oasis.

There’s a few hidden gems in NYC. This is one of them. If you are near and need an escape from the shit show that is NY, then look no further. Rest your mind and soul on one of the many benches here, my child. Become one with the beauty of this Garden of Eden and leave cleansed of your impurities. You’re fucking welcome.
Oh, and leave a buck or two in the donation bin too, you cheap ass.

Entzückender kleiner Park — ruhig, gepflegt, einfach herrlich für einen kurzen Stop…

This walled teaser is easily favolite garden in the city. Somehow the gardener has miraculously cultivated towering birch.

An incredible secret garden that is perfect for relaxing on a spring day. This hidden gem takes up an entire square block, and there are lots of sections to wander through or benches to sit on. The upkeep is amazing, and visitors respect the no pets and no phones rules. You’ll likely find neighbors reading the paper or friends catching up. So glad to have discovered this oasis!

This garden is absolutely lovely. It’s quiet and filled with beautiful flowers. It really is an oasis.

The sound in this church is incredible. Wow. Perfect acoustics.
Downside is there was no air conditioning in the summer.

Wow! When you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city this place is an oasis. Right now the flowers are blooming, just love the smell of roses. Just sit there and let my thoughts die a natural death. As I stare at the clear blue sky while the city rushes by outside the stone walls.
What a great relaxing spot, another hidden gem where I can suck on my Iced Venti Mocha Latte. Another great plus about this place is NO CELL PHONE USE! Well the garden rules are posted on a plaque before you enter. Look it is a sanctuary and I don’t wanna piss off St. Luke.

One of the best kept secrets Manhattan has to offer. Saunter over here on a sunny day and you will find a veritable secret garden blooming hushedly in this adorable little neighborhood. It winds around the church and past the elementary school, and is usually pretty deserted for lack of being well known. It’s a gorgeous place to share a private moment or to sit and do some reading and absorb some rays.

I love this garden. Yes, the inside is beautiful and manicured, but what I love most about it is that it’s surrounded by brick walls. They don’t give a hint to the random passersby about how beautiful it is inside, and so the result is a serene space uncontaminated by Too Many People. I hope it stays underappreciated.

awesome church garden. bigger than your avg community garden. One field leading into another. Large patch of grass with a nice cherry tree under which you can catch some Zs. truly a nice respite from the city, right in Manhattan. I didn’t like all the warnings posted on the door, however. I know, you can just look the other way, but it’s annoying and childish. anyway, as soon as I make my first million, I will donate to SLITF

This walled treasure is easily my favorite garden in the city. Somehow the gardener has miraculously cultivated towering birch trees, vigorous roses, and lush borders of verrigated variety. My heart leaps whenever I’m lucky enough to catch the iron gate open.
There’s ample seating, but the expert layout of the space maintains the calm and quiet of this West Village sanctuary. I love visiting this spot in the winter and fall; sipping the dregs of my mud truck coffee and listening to the house sparrow by the tool shed. It’s that simple. It’s that good.

This review is for the school that is a big part of ‘Luke’s’. As a kid who grew up in NYC when there actually was a middle class in The City, I felt very privileged to have gone to such an amazing school for 10 years. Small classes, passionate teachers and administration, exposure to religion (but not in your face at all), classic NYC concrete school yard that caused many scars and an amazing location in the West Village. Among the firsts that I experienced here:
1^st Kiss
1^st Beastie Boys Show (Ad Rock in the talent show c. 1982)
1^st Exposure by random bum on Christopher St. thru the gate
1^st Dance (SQ)
1^st Tittie
1^st Acting experience
1^st Game of Priz (like dodge ball, but cooler)
1^st Game of 4 Square
1^st Cigarette
1^st Busted lip (playing catcher after school w/​o a mask, walked to the cop station on 10^th street gushing blood and they called my parents and took me to St. Vincent’s)
1^st Snowball fight across Hudson St. w/​PS 3
I will always have a special place in my heart for this place.

I cannot review the religious aspects, but the garden is a peaceful flowery oasis in the middle of the city. and open to the public!