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Old North Church

Along the Freedom Trail in Boston's historic North End is Christ Church, otherwise known as Old North Church. This just may be one of the best known landmarks in Boston and it is one of the historic places you will learn about on the Foods of the Freedom Trail Boston walking tour.

Old North Church is the oldest standing church in all of Boston. The church welcomed its first worshippers on December 29th 1723. Today the church is still home to an active Episcopal congregation. Old North Church is also home to the first bells ever brought to America. The bells in the 191 foot steeple were often rung by Paul Revere himself. But Paul Revere and the steeple have another, more famous history together.

The tallest steeple in Boston played a crucial role in warning the Charlestown Patriots of the arrival of the British. Who doesn't remember "one if by land, two if by sea"? Paul Revere made plans with Sexton Robert Newman to help alert the patriots of the British plans by having him place one lantern in the steeple if they would arrive by land and two if they would arrive by sea. The lanterns only stayed in the steeple for a minute so as not to alert the "red coats", but it was enough. The plan worked.

The steeple is still there with the original weather vane atop it but it has had to be replaced twice, once in 1804 and again in 1954 when it was toppled by hurricane force winds. After your walking tour feel free to come back and visit the Old North Church on your own. The church has visiting hours for the historic site or you can attend one of two services on Sunday morning or the Thursday evening service. Visitors are always welcome with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas.