Old South Church

Old South Church, officially known as the Third Church in Boston, is a historic United Church of Christ congregation founded in 1669. Its current sanctuary, a National Historic Landmark, stands at the corner of Boylston Street and Dartmouth Street in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. The church has played a pivotal role in the religious, civic, and revolutionary history of New England and the United States.

History

The congregation gathered in 1669 when dissenters from the First Church in Boston sought a more liberal Congregational practice. Its first meeting house was constructed on Mill Creek, and a second, larger building was erected on Washington Street in 1729. This building, known as the Old South Meeting House, became a famed hotbed of revolutionary activity. In 1875, the growing congregation moved to its present location in the newly developed Back Bay, constructing a grand new edifice designed by the architectural firm Cummings and Sears.

Architecture

The present sanctuary, completed in 1875, is a premier example of the Venetian Gothic style, a subset of Gothic Revival architecture. Architects Charles Amos Cummings and Willard T. Sears drew inspiration from the Basilica di San Marco in Venice and other Italianate models. Its distinctive features include a 246-foot campanile, ornate terra cotta and granite cladding, a polychromatic interior with extensive stained glass windows, and a massive rose window. The interior's elaborate decoration, including murals by artist John La Farge, represents a significant departure from the plain Puritan meeting houses of the congregation's early history.

Role in American history

During the colonial era, the church's meeting house on Washington Street served as a crucial public forum, earning the nickname "Sanctuary of Freedom." It hosted mass meetings that protested British policies like the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts. Most famously, the meeting was the launching point for the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773, after a fiery address by Samuel Adams. During the Revolutionary War, British Army troops occupied the building, using it as a riding school and vandalizing its interior, an act that galvanized patriot sentiment.

Notable events

Beyond the Boston Tea Party, the church has been a stage for significant historical figures and events. Preacher and philosopher Samuel Sewall publicly read his landmark antislavery tract here in 1700. Benjamin Franklin was baptized in the congregation in 1706. During the Siege of Boston, the occupying forces desecrated the old meeting house, burning its pews and library for fuel. In the 19th century, the congregation was deeply involved in the abolitionist movement, with members like William Lloyd Garrison and speakers including Phillis Wheatley and Frederick Douglass advocating for emancipation from its pulpit.

Congregation and ministries

The congregation is a founding member of the United Church of Christ, known for its progressive theology and commitment to social justice. Its ministries have long extended beyond traditional worship, engaging in outreach, education, and advocacy. The church operates a vibrant Sunday school, supports local missions through the Boston Warm program, and maintains an active commitment to LGBT inclusion and racial justice. The church's music program, featuring its historic E. M. Skinner organ and renowned choir, is a significant cultural institution in Boston.

Location and significance

Strategically located on Copley Square, the church anchors one of Boston's most important cultural and architectural districts, facing the Boston Public Library and neighboring Trinity Church. Its location in Back Bay symbolizes the congregation's transition from its revolutionary past to its role as a leading institution in Victorian-era Boston. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970, it remains an active house of worship and a vital piece of the city's historical, architectural, and civic landscape. Category:Churches in Boston Category:National Historic Landmarks in Massachusetts Category:United Church of Christ congregations in Massachusetts Category:Gothic Revival church buildings in Massachusetts