Old North Church (Christ Church)
Boston
The Old North Church, whose official name is Christ Church, is the oldest church still standing in Boston. It was built in 1723 in the North End neighborhood.
A church from a famous design
The builders of Boston followed sketches of the churches designed by the great architect Christopher Wren. The walls are made of red brick. Inside, the church is white and bright, with box pews closed by little doors and two levels of galleries.
The tallest steeple
The steeple was added in 1740: it was the tallest structure in the city. The one you see is the third: the other two fell during two great storms. The last one was rebuilt in 1955, just like the one from 1740.
The bells
The bells in the steeple were cast in 1744 and arrived here in 1745. They are the oldest of their kind in America. They don't play a tune: they follow patterns that change with every round, and the sound is like a waterfall.
A church that is still alive
The church is still home to a congregation that gathers for services. A group of volunteer ringers still rings the bells. Each ringer follows their own bell, together with the others, and the sound reaches the whole neighborhood.
