The night of April 18, 1775, changed everything for Christ Church (better known
as the Old North Church) in the City of Boston. As the poet Longfellow
told it in his Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,
church sexton Robert Newman was to signal how the British were approaching
by hanging lanterns in the steeple—one lantern if by land, two if by
sea. These days, an annual ceremony commemorating the lantern lighting
fills the church
to capacity each April.
But the church's draw as a site on Boston's Freedom Trail extends beyond its lanterns and tower. The steeple's original bells—once sounded by a teenage Paul Revere—were restored in 1975 and have been rung regularly ever since. Other original features of the church include the interior high-box pews, two brass chandeliers, four wooden statues of angels, a clock, an oft-rebuilt organ, and a creaking floor.
America's bicentennial celebration gave the church a fresh wave of fame. Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip first stopped here on their 1975 visit to the United States. And in 1976, President Gerald Ford inaugurated the custom of lighting a third lantern to symbolize freedom and patriotism. Despite its prominence in history, however, Old North Church remains a functional church with a thriving Episcopalian congregation.
Location
Located in Boston's North End, the church sits at 193 Salem Street, on
the eastern side of Salem where it intersects with Hull Street. Two
nearby lots offer discounted parking: the North End Garage at Commercial
and Hull Street, two blocks down Hull from the church (charging $3 on Sundays
until 1 p.m. with church validation), and the Parcel 7 (Haymarket) garage,
seven blocks down Salem Street from the church (free until 1 p.m. with church
validation).
Hours of operation
The church is open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.; until 7 p.m. in summer. Services are held Sundays at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. The 9 a.m. service, about 45 minutes long, is usually Rite 2 Eucharist without music. The second service is the main Sunday service, and is followed by a coffee hour.
Cost
Although attending a church service is free, donations for visiting the church are requested.
Contact information
Call the church office at (617) 523-6676, or e-mail church@oldnorth.com.
Additional information
Two church gardens give visitors an idea of 18th-century greenery—the St. Francis Garden on the way to the church, and the Washington Memorial Garden on the north side of the church.
Nursery care during services is available from September through May.
Please note
Cost, hours of operation, or other information about this attraction is subject to change without notice. We suggest you confirm with the attraction prior to your visit.
