Second Church, Boston

Second Church, Boston
Name	Second Church, Boston
Denomination	Congregational (historically)
Founded	1649
Location	Boston, Massachusetts

Second Church, Boston. Founded in 1649, it is one of the oldest Congregational churches in New England and a significant institution in the religious and civic history of Boston. The congregation was established by members of the First Church in Boston seeking a new place of worship in the city's North End. Throughout its long history, the church has been associated with pivotal events in American history, influential theological movements, and several prominent ministers and thinkers.

History

The congregation was officially gathered in November 1649, following a petition to the Massachusetts General Court by a group led by Increase Mather. This split from the First Church in Boston was amicable and reflected the growing population of the North End. The church's first meeting house was constructed on North Square, a central location in early Boston. For over a century, the congregation and its ministers played a leading role in the religious and intellectual life of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, deeply involved in events like the Salem witch trials and the Great Awakening. Its history is inextricably linked to the Mather family, a dynasty of influential Puritan ministers.

Architecture

The first two meeting houses on North Square were typical of early New England wooden meeting house design, serving both religious and civic purposes. A more substantial brick building, designed in the Georgian style, was erected on the same site in 1729. This structure featured a prominent spire and became a landmark in the North End. After the original building's destruction, the congregation relocated and eventually constructed a new sanctuary in the Back Bay neighborhood in 1914, designed by the architectural firm Allen & Collens in the Gothic Revival style, which remains its home today.

Ministers and notable members

The pulpit of the church was long dominated by the Mather family. Increase Mather, a major figure in the Salem witch trials and president of Harvard College, was its minister for nearly six decades. His son, Cotton Mather, a prolific writer and scientist, served as colleague-pastor. Later, the church called John Lathrop, a staunch Patriot during the American Revolution. In the 19th century, Ralph Waldo Emerson served as junior pastor and began developing his Transcendentalist ideas here before his famous resignation. Notable members have included Paul Revere, a leading Son of Liberty, and William Dawes, who also participated in the Midnight Ride.

Role in the American Revolution

Under the leadership of John Lathrop, the church became a fervent center of Patriot activity. The congregation included many prominent Sons of Liberty, and the church is often called the "Church of the Patriots." Its meeting house was used for political meetings and was a gathering point for protests against measures like the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts. Members such as Paul Revere and William Dawes were key figures in the events leading to the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The church's bell, cast by Paul Revere's foundry, rang out on pivotal days during the Revolution.

Later history and relocation

The original North Square meeting house was destroyed in the Great Boston Fire of 1872. The congregation initially rebuilt on the same site but eventually sold the property. In 1914, the congregation merged with the First Church (Unitarian) and constructed a new shared building at its current location on Marlborough Street in the Back Bay. This merger created the First and Second Church in Boston, a Unitarian Universalist congregation. The church continues to be an active religious and community institution from this location.

Legacy and influence

The legacy of the church is profound, spanning theology, literature, and political history. The Mather family's leadership left an indelible mark on Puritan thought and early American literature. Ralph Waldo Emerson's early ministry there was a catalyst for the Transcendentalist movement, influencing figures like Henry David Thoreau and Margaret Fuller. Its role as the "Church of the Patriots" secures its place in the narrative of the American Revolution. The congregation's archives, including vital records and sermons, are held by the Massachusetts Historical Society and remain a vital resource for scholars of American history.

Category:Churches in Boston Category:Congregational churches in Massachusetts Category:1649 establishments in the Massachusetts Bay Colony