Old North Church

Frommer's Review

Look up! In this building's original steeple, sexton Robert Newman hung two lanterns on the night of April 18, 1775, to signal Paul Revere that British troops were setting out for Lexington and Concord in boats across the Charles River, not on foot. We know that part of the story in Longfellow's words: "One if by land, and two if by sea."

Officially named Christ Church, this is the oldest church building in Boston (1723). The design is in the style of Sir Christopher Wren. The steeple fell in hurricanes in 1804 and 1954; the current version is an exact copy of the original. The 190-foot spire, long a reference point for sailors, appears on navigational charts to this day. And how's this for a coincidence: Newman was a great-grandson of George Burroughs, one of the victims of the Salem witch trials of 1692.

Members of the Revere family attended this church (their plaque is on pew 54); famous visitors have included Presidents James Monroe, Theodore Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Gerald R. Ford, and Queen Elizabeth II. There are markers and plaques throughout; note the bust of George Washington, reputedly the first memorial to the first president. The gardens on the north side of the church (dotted with more plaques) are open to the public. On the south side of the church, volunteers maintain an 18th-century garden.

Free tours of the church begin every 15 minutes, year-round. The 50-minute behind-the-scenes tour ($8 adults, $5 children under 17), which includes visits to the steeple and the crypt, is available on weekdays and on weekend afternoons from June to October, and the rest of the year by appointment. Tickets are available for advance purchase online.

To continue on the Freedom Trail: Cross Salem Street onto Hull Street and walk uphill toward Copp's Hill Burying Ground. On the left you'll pass 44 Hull St., a private residence that's the narrowest (10 ft. wide) house in Boston.

Church Chat -- One surefire way to announce yourself as an out-of-towner is to pause on Hanover Street between Prince and Fleet streets and proclaim that you see the Old North Church. The first house of worship you see is St. Stephen's, the only Charles Bulfinch-designed church still standing in Boston. It was Unitarian when it was dedicated in 1804. The next year, the congregation bought a bell (still in use) from Paul Revere's foundry for $800. The design is a paragon of Federal-style symmetry. St. Stephen's became Roman Catholic in 1862. During refurbishment in 1964 and 1965, it regained its original appearance, with clear glass windows, white walls, and gilded organ pipes. It's one of the plainest Catholic churches you'll ever see.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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