Old North

A photo of the pipe organ at the Old North Chuch in Boston.

Built by Thomas Johnston in 1759, our pipe organ was the first organ made from parts totally sourced within the colonies!

The casing that Johnston created for the organ is still in use today, while the organ’s inner workings (pipes, pedals, bellows, etc.) were replaced in 1992.

Visitors in the unique box pews of the Old North Church. Many are listening to audio guides.

It's hard to beat the views from the pews!

Support the America the Beautiful Act Nearly five years ago, Congress and the Trump administration made a bold, bipartisan promise to invest in our national parks. Since then, the Great American Outdoors Act has delivered, enabling the Pa...

2020’s Great American Outdoors Act was the largest investment made in our national parks and public lands in over 50 years. But they are still facing a backlog of repair needs.

📝Tell Congress to pass the America the Beautiful Act and continue this legacy! npca.org/fixourparks

Restoration project reveals hidden cherubs in Boston's Old North Church Visitors can see what the church looked like nearly three centuries ago.

Jennifer Eagan of @wcvb5.bsky.social visited Old North Church yesterday to report on our newly restored angel paintings!

Check out this great video to learn about the restoration process and see the 18th-century angels that have been hidden since 1912: www.wcvb.com/article/old-...

The outline of a door-shaped window on the exterior back wall of the Old North Church in Boston.

Do you see the outline of a window on this brick wall?

According to legend, Old North’s sexton, Robert Newman, escaped British patrols through this window after displaying the signal lanterns in the steeple on the night of Paul Revere’s ride.

A historic black and white photo of a boy at the Old North Church reading a book titled "A Welcome to U.S.A. Citizenship."

A few years ago, our team started digitizing old photos from our archives. We are particularly fond of this photo.

This picture is likely from a naturalization ceremony held at Old North Church. We suspect it may be from a ceremony circa 1980, led by Senator Ted Kennedy.

The Bay Pew at Old North Church.

Back in the 1700s, Old North Church's box pews were lavishly decorated, reflecting the wealth, and perhaps personality, of those who purchased them.

While today's pews are unadorned, the "Bay Pew" is still decorated in the 18th-century style with cushions, wall coverings, and replica furniture.

Photo of the new exhibit Unearthing Childhood with the GBH News logo and The Culture Show logo.

Did you hear us on the radio? Our Director of Education, Emily Spence, was just on @thecultureshowgbh.bsky.social to discuss our free history exhibit Unearthing Childhood: 300 Years of North End Kids!

The story starts around 41:30:
open.spotify.com/episode/7pNF...

The People in the Pews: Joseph Warren Revere | The Old North Church & Historic Site Joseph Warren Revere, son of Paul Revere, attended the Old North Church in the early 19th century. He sat in Pew # 54 with his family.

He was named for Dr. Joseph Warren, the Revolutionary leader who had sent Paul Revere on his midnight ride and who was killed in action at the Battle of Bunker Hill in June of 1775.

www.oldnorth.com/blog/joseph-...

Portrait of Joseph Warren Revere by Gilbert Stuart, c. 1813.

Paul Revere did not worship at Old North Church…but one of his sons did! Joseph Warren Revere attended Old North in the early 19th century, sitting in Pew #54 with his family.

Joint tickets can be purchased exclusively at the Boston Common Visitor Center, located at 139 Tremont Street in Boston.

A costumed Freedom Trail Player standing in front of a statue of Ben Franklin.

Did you know that you can experience a Freedom Trail tour and three popular Boston historic sites with just one ticket?

This special joint ticket includes a tour with a costumed Freedom Trail Player and access to Old North Church, Old South Meeting House, and the Old State House for just $30.

A close-up photo of one of the angels painted in Old North Church's balcony arches.

These angels were hidden beneath layers of white paint for more than a century. Each angel has a unique and charming face. We couldn't be more pleased to have them back!

Angels in the balcony arches of the Old North Church's sanctuary.

After 10 months, our mural restoration is finally complete! Conservators have revealed 20 beautiful angels painted in our balcony arches in the late 1720s and 1730s.

We don’t mind the rain when we get a rainbow like this!

Thank you!

A black and white photo from July 20, 1978 of flames next to the Old North Church.

In July of 1978, there was a 5-alarm fire at an apartment building next to Old North Church. Firefighters acted quickly to protect the church, and fortunately, our historic landmark was spared.

This is amazing! Would it be OK if we share this photo on our social media pages? We would credit you.

Thanks!

A painting of the reading of the Declaration of Independence from the Old State House in Boston.

Today in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was publicly read for the first time from the balcony of Boston’s Old State House.

Abigail Adams recalled the celebration: "bells rang, the privateers fired...the cannon were discharged...and every face appeared joyful."

Present-day Unity Street in Boston's North End.

Did you know that Ben Franklin once lived in Boston’s North End? As a boy, he resided at the corner of Union and Hanover Streets.

Later in life, he owned a house on Unity Street where his sisters lived. The house stood steps away from Old North Church, but was sadly torn down.

Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, by Phillis Wheatley, 1773 - Old South Meeting House - Boston, MA

Tonight! Join us on Zoom for a talk with Dr. Alexandria Russell about the legacy of Phillis Wheatley.

More than a century after her death, Black women in the Jim Crow era mobilized to tell Wheatley's story through public memorials and public history. RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-legacy...

This summer, we're open until 7pm on Fridays! Come by and enjoy a beautiful evening in the North End.

...American Revolution was fought. At Old North Church last year, your President lit a third lantern dedicated to America’s third century of freedom and to renew faith in the American ideals. May its light never be dimmed.”

...in such kind and generous words, well I think they would be extremely surprised. But perhaps they would have been pleased. Pleased to know that eventually we came together again as free peoples and friends and defended together the very ideals for which the...

“If Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and other patriots could've known that one day a British monarch would stand behind the balcony of the Old State House from which the Declaration of Independence was first read to the people of Boston, and be greeted by the mayor and others...

On this day in 1976, Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Old North Church in celebration of the Bicentennial. In a speech at the Old State House during her visit to Boston, the Queen said:

The Legacy of Phillis Wheatley: From Boston, MA to Albuquerque, NM. With Dr. Alexandria Russell. (Image: three images of Phillis Wheatley — two drawings and a statue. They are given a purple tint.)

Phillis Wheatley, the first African American to publish a book of poetry, tragically died in 1784 in obscurity.

More than a century later, Wheatley’s legacy was kept alive by Black women. Join us for an online talk on July 16 for the remarkable story:
www.eventbrite.com/e/the-legacy...

Thank you for a rousing delivery!

A highlight of our July 4th celebration was this interactive reading of the Declaration of Independence from Rev. Peter Preble.

Enjoy this short clip from the reading — and feel free to "boo" and "huzzah" from home!

Jeopardy Question: "The 513,654 bricks used to build this Boston landmark with one lamp or 2 were made & fired in kilns at nearby Medford"

Can anyone help us with this Jeopardy question? 🤔