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Old North Church
Old North Church
The Old North Church is an Episcopal Church, officially known as Christ Church in the city of Boston. Built in 1723, the Old North Church is the oldest standing church building in Boston and a significant part of the history of the American Revolution.
It was here, on the night of April 18, 1775, that the then church caretaker, Robert Newman and Captain John Pulling, climbed the 14-story steeple and lit two lanterns in the window. They did so at the request of Paul Revere. The church was the tallest building in Boston at the time and the signal would be clearly seen across the harbor. The lanterns were a back up signal to the Patriots in Charlestown that the British troops (known as the Regulars or Redcoats) were going to Lexington and Concord “by sea” across the harbour and not by the land route across Boston Neck.
After lighting the lanterns, Newman held them up in the steeple window for a brief moment, just enough time for the signal to reach the patriots and to his dismay, the British Regulars, as well. Narrowly escaping arrest, Newman slipped through a window to the right of the altar. Today, that same window is deemed the “Newman” window and a replica of his lantern sits above it in his memory.
Additional Information
Visit the website here: www.oldnorth.com
Landmark Information
Boston, MA 02113
Phone: Church (617) 523-6676 Gift Shop (616) 523-4848
