Old North Church Boston Facts

Old North Church Boston Facts. “The Old North” name was traditionally attached to whatever church was deemed to be the oldest at the current time and may have changed on numerous occasions. Thus, from this description you’ve probably been able to conclude, at a minimum, this is the oldest church in the North End. In actuality it is the oldest church in all of Boston, having been built in 1723.

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This red brick (513,654 in all) structure has a 175 foot white wooden steeple.  Within the steeple are also the oldest church bells in the United States.  The steeple is actually the 3rd—the prior to having been knocked over by hurricanes. The weather-vane at the very top of the steeple was built by the same man who built the weather-vane that sits atop Faneuil Hall—Deacon Shem Drowne.

The Old North is most associated with the tale of “One if by land, Two if by sea,” which will former immortalize this church in Revolutionary War lore. Rewind the clocks back to April 18, 1775. The young American colonies had begun to make waves with their desires for Independence from the clutches of the British crown. The British began to mount initiatives to steal the Colonies ammunition supplies in Lexington and Concord and set off down the Charles River in the middle of the night. Paul Revere caught wind of the incident and came to the Old North Church where he asked the church sexton (an individual in charge of maintenance for the church) by the name of Robert Newman to light signal lanterns in the steeple and notify the Charlestown Patriots. Revere, in turn, headed off on a horse (along with William Dawes) to notify Lexington and Concord of the planned assault.

A system for the lamp lighting had already been previously devised and that follows the motto you have now already heard, “One if by land, two if by sea.” It was under these instructions that Mr. Newman lit 2 lamps, for just a few seconds… long enough for Charlestown to see. Newman then had to escape out a window from the steeple to avoid being caught by the British (some of whom were actually having dinner at his mother’s home that evening).

If you wish to tour the church there is no admission fee, although a small donation is requested. Inside are a few items of potential interest, including a bust of George Washington which is located along the left wall while facing the altar. Supposedly this was the first such memorial to our nation’s 1st president. Perhaps more intriguing is on the right side you can actually view the window through which Robert Newman escaped the British. The window had been boarded up for many years, but was rediscovered via restoration efforts in 1989. A symbolic lantern (coined the Third Lantern) hangs near it. This lantern was presented as a gift from President Ford on April 18, 1975. There is a plaque in one of the exterior gardens which provides more information on this if you are interested.

• Website: www.oldnorth.com
• Address: 193 Salem Street, Boston, MA
• Cost: No admission fee, however, a small donation is requested.

MAP Info Old North Church Boston Attractions