Old North Church

The oldest

Old North Church is the oldest standing church in Boston

The church, built in 1723, is the oldest standing church in the city. Its first service was held on December 29, 1723, and the building was completed in 1726. The Georgian design was likely influenced by Christopher Wren's London churches.

Two lanterns

Two lanterns in the steeple gave warning on April 18, 1775

Paul Revere directed that lanterns be hung in the steeple, warning patriots in Charlestown about the movements of the British Army. Two meant that the army was coming by boat on the Charles River. They were taken down within two minutes to avoid exposure.

The credit

Two different men are credited with hanging the lanterns

The act is credited to sexton Robert Newman and to sea captain John Pulling, and some sources credit both. Longfellow's poem erroneously claimed that Revere himself saw the lanterns. Newman rang the bells twice a day while the church was closed for three years.

The steeple

Wind took the steeple down in 1804 and again in 1954

A gust blew the wooden spire from the tower on October 9, 1804, and a new spire followed two years later. The steeple fell again during Hurricane Carol on August 31, 1954. The replacement was installed in July 1955.

191 feetheight of the steeple above ground

Bells

The bells cast in 1744 are the oldest in North America

The belfry has eight change ringing bells cast in 1744. Below the nave is a crypt where an estimated 1,100 people are interred, among them John Pitcairn and Samuel Nicholson.

1,100people estimated to be interred in the crypt