Attraction
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Boston's encyclopaedic art museum on Huntington Avenue in the Fenway, with collections ranging from ancient Nubia and Japan to American art and late evening opening on…
Old North Church
Boston's oldest surviving church building, begun in 1723, where two lanterns were hung in the steeple on 18 April 1775 to signal the movement of British troops.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic church
- Area
- North End, Boston, United States
- Opening
- Open daily
- Official site
- oldnorth.com
Good to know
- Self-guided Discovery Pass
- Audio guide
- Crypt
- Bell chamber tours
- Gift shop
Why we recommend it
Old North Church, formally Christ Church in the City of Boston, is the oldest surviving church building in the city. Construction began in 1723 and the church still holds Episcopal services. It is best known for the night of 18 April 1775, when two lanterns were hung in the steeple to warn that British troops were crossing by water, the signal remembered in the line "one if by land, and two if by sea". Sexton Robert Newman and the sea captain John Pulling are both credited with the act.
Inside, the sanctuary is lined with box pews, reconstructed during a 1912 renovation, and the steeple rises 191 feet above the street. The church has eight change-ringing bells cast in 1744 in Gloucester, England, and installed the following year, which are described as the oldest in North America. A young Paul Revere was among the bell ringers here. Below the church is a crypt where about 1,100 people were laid to rest in 37 tombs.
The church is open for visitors from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and from 12:30pm to 5pm on Sunday, after the 11am service. The Discovery Pass is the standard ticket and covers a self-guided visit to the sanctuary and crypt with an audio guide and a family scavenger hunt; children aged five and under go free. A combined ticket adds a 25-minute behind-the-scenes tour of the bell chamber, which involves two sets of steep stairs, so it is not suitable for everyone. Several longer private and themed tours can be booked, and after-hours crypt tours run in the autumn season.
Allow 45 minutes for the Discovery Pass, or an hour and a half with the bell chamber tour. The church suits history enthusiasts and families following the Freedom Trail, as it sits between the Paul Revere House and Copp's Hill Burying Ground on the route. The gift shop is in the Clough House, which dates from 1715. Visitors with specific access needs are invited to contact the church before visiting.
The church is on Salem Street in the North End, a compact neighbourhood that is best explored on foot. The Paul Revere House is the previous stop on the Freedom Trail, and Copp's Hill Burying Ground is the next, so a visit fits neatly into a walk along the trail. The North End's Italian restaurants and pastry shops make it easy to combine a visit with lunch.
Old North Church FAQs
When is Old North Church open to visitors?
Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 12:30pm to 5pm.
What does the Discovery Pass include?
A self-guided visit to the sanctuary and crypt, an audio guide and a family scavenger hunt.
Do children pay?
Children aged five and under go free; youth tickets are reduced.
Can you go up into the bell chamber?
Yes, on a 25-minute behind-the-scenes tour added to the Discovery Pass. It involves two sets of steep stairs.
Why is the church famous?
On 18 April 1775 two lanterns were hung in its steeple to signal that British troops were moving by water.
Is the church still in use?
Yes. It is an active Episcopal church with a Sunday service at 11am.
How long should you allow?
About 45 minutes, or around an hour and a half with a bell chamber tour.
Is it on the Freedom Trail?
Yes. It sits between the Paul Revere House and Copp's Hill Burying Ground on the route.