The Old North Church (officially, Christ Church in the City of Boston), is an Episcopal mission church located in the North End neighborhood of Boston. The church, which was built in 1723, is the oldest standing church building in Boston and a National Historic Landmark.
Old North Church is famous for its role in Paul Revere's midnight rideon April 18, 1775.
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Construction of the Old North Church began in April 1723, continuing throughout the year. Nine months later, the church was completed sufficiently enough for the congregation to hold and celebrate its first worship service on December 29, with only some interior finishing left to be completed. The architectural design was inspired by the works of English architect Christopher Wren. Timothy Cutler was the founding rector after serving as third rector of Yale College from 1719 to 1722. Jason Haven was called to minister, but his parishioners at the First Church and Parish in Dedham convinced him to stay.
CHURCH
EST. 1723
In April 1775, Paul Revere told three patriots in Boston to hang two lanterns in the steeple. These men were the church sexton Robert Newman and Captain John Pulling Jr., who historian David Hackett Fischersuggests each carried one lantern up to the steeple along with Thomas Bernard, who stood watch for British troops outside the church.
The lanterns were displayed to send a warning to Charlestown patriots across the Charles River about the movements of the British Army. Revere and William Dawes later delivered the same message in person to patriots in Lexington, but there was a quicker way to inform the backup riders in Charlestown about the movements of the British; these backup riders, in turn, delivered the warning message to Lexington and Concord in case Revere and Dawes were arrested on the way.
The lanterns were hung for just under a minute to avoid catching the eyes of the British troops occupying Boston, but this was long enough for the message to be received in Charlestown. The militia waiting across the river had been told to look for the signal lanterns, and were prepared to act as soon as they saw them.
HISTORIC PEOPLE
Paul Revere
Post Rider
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