Old North

People sitting in Old North Church's box pews, watching a panel discussion about faith and freedom in the American Revolution.

Dr. Lori Rogers-Stokes, Rev. Matthew Cadwell, and Dr. Jonathan M. Chu speaking at the Old North Church.

Last night, we hosted a packed-out screening of excerpts from Ken Burns' "The American Revolution."

The screening was followed by a fascinating panel discussion about faith and freedom in the Revolution with Rev. Matthew P. Cadwell, Dr. Lori Rogers-Stokes, and Dr. Jonathan M. Chu.

Members of the Old North Church congregation and friends standing in front of the church with newly affixed Christmas decorations (wreaths, greens, red bows, etc).

🎶It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...🎶

A foot warmer resting on a windowsill at Old North Church.

How did Old North’s early congregants stay warm on cold days like today?

They brought small metal boxes known as “foot warmers” to their pews! A hot brick or coal would be placed inside the foot warmer, and the high walls of the box pew would help trap the heat inside.

Following the screening, a panel of experts will discuss the role of religion in the Revolution and the legacy of religious liberty in the United States!

In April, Ken Burns joined us at the Old North Church to discuss his documentary "The American Revolution." On December 9, we are excited to host a special screening of excerpts from the film at Old North!

The event is free, but space is limited: www.eventbrite.com/e/ken-burns-...

.... and gradually shifted to open seating over time. There was still a congregant stubbornly “buying” their pew until the 1950s!

After the few holdouts either passed away or eventually chose to stop, Old North finally ended the practice altogether. Today, seating is free and open to all.

Photo of the box pews at Old North Church.

For nearly 200 years, seating at Old North Church was “pay to pray” — congregants would buy box pews.

After 1912, Old North ended the practice of selling pews…sort of. It seems that they grandfathered in any former pew owners who wanted to keep purchasing theirs...

The view from Old North Church's steeple around sunset. Boston's glowing city lights are visible.

The days are getting shorter...but we don't mind when the views are this good from our steeple!

Giftware, Tea and History The Gift Shops of the Old North Church

If you're not in the Boston area, you can also shop online: oldnorthgiftshop.online

A photo of the entrance of the Old North Gift Shop.

Museum Store Sunday - Shop with Purpose - 11.30.25

On Sunday, 11/30, people around the world will celebrate Museum Store Sunday! This holiday encourages shoppers to visit museum gift shops, which help to fund important educational work while supporting local artisans.

We would love to see you at the Old North Gift Shop!

A painting of Paul Revere on horseback, warning people that the regulars were coming.

Paul Revere on the night after Thanksgiving:

"The leftovers are coming! The leftovers are coming!"

A real photo of a turkey in front of the Old North Church. He has a speech bubble that says "Happy Thanksgiving!"

Happy Thanksgiving from Old North Church and the North End's resident turkey!

We wish you a day filled with the people and traditions you love.

Did you see our box pews on Jeopardy last night?

Image: Portrait of George Washington crossing the Delaware. Text: Ken Burns' American Revolution - Screening and Panel Discussion - Exploring Faith and Freedom in the Revolution

Join us at Old North on 12/9 to watch a special screening of excerpts from Ken Burns' "The American Revolution"!

Following the screening, a panel will discuss the role of religion in the Revolution and the legacy of religious liberty in the U.S. RSVP for free: www.eventbrite.com/e/ken-burns-...

Three people polishing parts of a brass chandelier in Old North Church's Parish House.

Old North’s annual Brass Polishing Party took place this weekend! Parishioners and friends gathered to shine up the church’s chandeliers, sconces, and other brass items to prepare for the Advent season

The chandeliers look so good, you would never know they’re 300+ years old!

She was also the mother of the sixth president, John Quincy Adams!

Portrait of Abigail Adams by Gilbert Stuart, c. 1800–1815. She is wearing a bonnet and a transparent shawl over her white and red dress. She has a serious expression and rosy cheeks.

Happy 281st birthday to Abigail Adams!

Hailed for her now-famous admonition that the Founding Fathers “remember the ladies” in their new laws, Abigail Adams was not only an early advocate for women’s rights, she was a vital confidant and advisor to her husband, President John Adams.

What's wrong with this picture?

Hint: something is missing from Old North's sanctuary.

The open tomb in Old North Church's crypt.

Old North’s crypt became so popular that church officials began selling the once-private spaces to members of the public who could afford it.

The barrel-vaulted tombs that filled the crypt could fit anywhere between 10 to 40 coffins, depending on their exact dimensions.

Ken Burns holding up an official resolution from the City of Boston about his receiving the Third Lantern Award. He is joined by Nikki Stewart, Executive Director of Old North Illuminated, and Boston City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata.

Congratulations to our friend Ken Burns on the release of his new documentary! In April, Ken joined us at Old North to talk about his forthcoming film and to accept the Third Lantern Award.

All the episodes of The American Revolution are now streaming: www.pbs.org/show/the-ame...

Old North was an interracial – but not integrated – church. Its seating reflected the racial segregation of the day.

A community formed in the North Gallery. Relationships were made, and people from different households could interact, unobserved by those seated below.

View from the gallery of the Old North Church.

While wealthy white congregants sat in the box pews below, Old North Church's gallery seating was occupied by servants, free and enslaved people of color, indentured people, and children under the age of 12.

A photo of Libor Dudas, Music Director of Old North Church, playing the pipe organ. A man sits behind him to turn the pages of the sheet music.

Old North Church’s pipe organ was commissioned in 1759 and built by Thomas Johnston, a member of the congregation.

It was the first organ constructed of parts totally sourced from the colonies!

A photo of military dog tags at the War Memorial at Old North Church.

On Veterans Day, we thank the remarkable people who have served our country for generations. We are so grateful for your tremendous bravery and sacrifice.

The wreath-laying ceremony at Old North Church for Remembrance Sunday.

The service included an outdoor wreath-laying with representatives of the Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, British Officers Club of New England, British and Commonwealth Remembrance Project, and the New England Kiwis (New Zealand).

A bagpiper at Old North Church for Remembrance Sunday.

Yesterday, Old North Church's congregation observed Remembrance Sunday. This holiday commemorates the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts.

A portrait of Rev. William Croswell.

Today is Rev. William Croswell’s birthday! Old North's rector from 1829 - 1841, Croswell was just 25 years old when he began his tenure.

A lover of music and lyrics, Croswell composed his own hymns for the church and many poems. He met his wife, Amanda, when she became the organist at Old North!

A close-up photo of Bell 7 at Old North Church.

A close-up photo of Bell 8 at Old North Church.

Each of Old North Church’s bells has an inscription written in the first person. For example, Bell 8 says, “Abel Rudhall of Gloucester cast us all.”

We particularly like Bell 7’s inscription: “Since generosity has opened our mouths our tongues shall ring aloud its praise.”

Text: Wednesday, Nov 5 — Music-Making in Colonial Boston Image: A drawing of a colonial family playing music together.

Join us on Zoom for a conversation with musicologist Laura Zoll about music in colonial Boston! We'll explore questions like:

- What did music sound like during the colonial era?
- Who played it?
- How did music reflect contemporary culture and beliefs?

www.eventbrite.com/e/music-maki...

Here in Boston, the Sons of Liberty responded by organizing protests and staging attacks on custom houses and the homes of tax collectors.

Their famous rallying cry was “no taxation without representation.”