Old North Church, Episcopal church in North End, Boston, United States
Old North Church is a Georgian brick building with a 191-foot (58-meter) white steeple in the North End neighborhood of Boston. The tower holds eight bells and was the tallest structure in the city when it opened in 1723.
On the evening of April 18, 1775, church members hung two lanterns in the steeple to warn patriots about British troop movements. This signal played a central role in starting the American Revolution the next day.
The name refers to its location in the northern part of the city, distinguishing it from other Anglican congregations in colonial Boston. Visitors today can attend services and walk through the spare interior, where tall box pews with doors show the earlier practice of separating families during cold winter months.
The building opens Tuesday through Saturday from 10 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon, and Sunday starting at half past noon. Tickets can be bought ahead of time online to avoid waiting in line.
A current restoration project is removing white paint from the walls and revealing hidden colonial artwork underneath. These paintings stayed hidden beneath layers of paint for centuries and are now coming to light for the first time.
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