Old North Church

One if by Land, Two if by Sea

The Old North Church, initially known as Christ Church, is the oldest standing church in Boston, completed in December 1723. On the night of April 18, 1775, its tallest steeple played a crucial role in the American Revolution. Sexton Robert Newman and Captain John Pulling, Jr. each carried a lantern up to the belltower, signaling the British approach by sea with two lanterns, as immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem “Paul Revere’s Ride.” This brief signal alerted lookouts in Charlestown, enabling Paul Revere and William Dawes to warn patriot militia and minutemen across the countryside. Captain Thomas Bernard stood lookout for British patrols, ensuring the success of this clandestine operation despite the loyalist sympathies of many churchgoers.

The church's belltower, which housed two bells cast in 1744, was also significant in Paul Revere's life. As a young man, Revere helped found the guild of bellringers at Christ Church. The bells, restored in 1894 and 1975, still ring today, maintained by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology guild of Bell Ringers. Inscribed on the bells is a testament to their historical importance: “We are the first ring of bells cast for the British Empire in North America.” The Old North Church remains a key site on Boston’s Freedom Trail, attracting visitors with its rich history. It was honored during the American Bicentennial with visits from President Gerald Ford and Queen Elizabeth II, and continues to symbolize the spirit of American independence.