Old North Church & Historic Site


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ABOUT OUR SITE
The Old North Church is Boston’s oldest surviving church building and one of its most visited historical sites. In addition to the famous Old North Church, the historic site also includes:

  • The 1715 Clough House, one of Boston’s oldest surviving brick residences, which houses the Printing Office of Edes & Gill and Heritage Goods + Gifts
  • A chapel built in 1918 for Italian immigrants, which now serves as the Old North Gift Shop
  • Three large courtyards, two formal gardens, and a war memorial to soldiers fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan
  • Two adjoining townhouses, converted into use for administrative, educational, social, civic, and parish programs

HISTORY
The enduring fame of the Old North began on the evening of April 18, 1775, when the church sexton Robert Newman and vestryman Capt. John Pulling, Jr. climbed the steeple and held high two lanterns as a signal from Paul Revere that the British were marching to Lexington and Concord by sea across the Charles River and not by land. This fateful event ignited the American Revolution. Each year, half a million people from all over the country and all over the world visit this unique and stirring monument to liberty.

MISSION
Old North Illuminated inspires active citizenship and courageous, compassionate leadership by interpreting and preserving the Old North Church & Historic Site, an icon of the American Revolution. ONI envisions a future in which everyone will see their stories, struggles, and hopes reflected in places of prominence and our shared American history. Just as two patriots hung lanterns in Old North's steeple on the night of April 18, 1775, as a signal to spark action, ONI ignites positive change through onsite interpretation of the historic site and digital programming for classrooms and adult learners across the country.


MANAGEMENT
Old North Illuminated is the 501(c)3 secular nonprofit organization that preserves and interprets the Old North & Historic Site. ONI is independent of and a close partner to Christ Church in the City of Boston, the Episcopal congregation of Old North Church.

HOURS & TOUR OFFERINGS
Our hours of operation and tour offerings vary depending on the season. Be sure to check oldnorth.com for the most up-to-date information!

GIFT SHOP
The main gift shop, located in what was formerly the St. Francis Chapel, is 1,200 square feet of items for the entire family. 

Old North's campus is also home to Heritage Goods + Gifts, a retail space that specializes in American-made products created by woman-, BIPOC- and family-owned companies with unique stories. Heritage is located in the Clough House, a 1715 brick building situated behind the church at 21 Unity Street.