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Boston, Massachusetts, Christ Church or Old North Church, historic photos

Boston, Massachusetts, Christ Church, Old North Church, 1900 historic photo

An historic photo view of Christ Church or as it is more commonly known, The Old North Church, Boston, Massachusetts. This is the church famed for its role in the Revolutionary War, as it was here that two lanterns were hung in the church belfry to warn of the British approach on the Charles River. Contrary to common belief, the lantern signal was not a signal to Paul Revere, but was instead a warning to Charlestown located across the bay that the British were approaching. At the same time, Paul Revere was sent on his famed ride by Joseph Warren to Lexington, Massachusetts to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock of the movement of British troops with the probable intent of capturing both Adams and Hancock for insurrection and treason.

This photo is from about 1900 and is by Detroit Publishing Co. See additional photos below.

Boston, Massachusetts, Christ Church, Old North Church, 1890-1899 historic photo

An historic photo view of Christ Church or The Old North Church from about 1890 to 1899, by Detroit Publishing Co. See additional photos below.

Boston, Massachusetts, Christ Church, Old North Church, 1909 historic photo

An historic photo view of Christ Church or The Old North Church from about 1909, by Detroit Publishing Co. See additional photos below.

Boston, Massachusetts, Christ Church, Old North Church, 2009 photo

An photo view of Christ Church or The Old North Church as seen in 2009. See additional photos below.

Boston, Massachusetts, Christ Church, Old North Church, interior, 1910 historic photo

An historic photo view of the interior of Christ Church or The Old North Church from about 1910, by Detroit Publishing Co. This view is facing toward the back of the church with the entry doors at the center. The church organ pipes can be seen at the top center. See additional photos below.

Boston, Massachusetts, Christ Church, Old North Church, interior, 2009 photo

A photo view of the interior of Christ Church or The Old North Church as seen in 2009. This view is facing toward the front of the church with the pulpit at left of center.

The church building has been well preserved, still serves as an active Episcopal Church, and is open for tours.

Additional facts about Christ Church or The Old North Church:

All of the photos of the outside of this church building are taken from the same approximate angle. This is due to the position of the church and its great height making it nearly impossible to photograph from any other angle.

This church building was built in 1723 and is the oldest surviving church building in Boston.

Charles Wesley (co-founder of the Methodist Church) preached here on four consecutive Sundays from September 26 to October 17, 1736. This said to be the only remaining church building in America that Charles Wesley preached in.

During the British occupation of Boston, the British troops worshiped here.

The steeple of the church has been destroyed twice by storms, in 1804 and 1954. The steeple shown in the older historic photos is the second steeple. The steeple in the 2009 photo is the third and current steeple.

About 1,100 persons are buried in 37 crypts or tombs in the basement of this church.

In Colonial times, a considerable number of slaves, servants, and free blacks worshiped in this church. Their seating was in the upper balcony.

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