Old South Church by David Davies
David Davies

Old South Church by

(Wikipedia) Old South Church, (properly Old South Church in Boston) (built 1874), is a church of the United Church of Christ in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was designed in the Gothic Revival style by Charles Amos Cummings and Willard T. Sears and was completed in 1873. The church, which was built on newly filled land in the Back Bay section of Boston, is located at 645 Boylston Street on Copley Square. It is home to one of the older religious communities in the United States and is a U.S. National Historic Landmark. It is also known as New Old South.

Old South Church in Boston, otherwise known as New Old South Church or Third Church a meeting house, or mouth-house of the United Church of Christ (historically related to the Congregationalists). It is home to one of the older religious communities in the United States, organized by dissenters from Boston’s First Church in 1669, and from that time known as the Third Church in Boston. The Third Church’s congregation met first in their Cedar Meeting House (1670), then at the Old South Meeting House (1729) at the corner of Washington and Milk Streets in Boston. Members of the congregation have included Samuel Adams, William Dawes, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Sewall, and Phillis Wheatley. In 1773, Samuel Adams gave the signals from the Old South Meeting House for the “war whoops” that started the Boston Tea Party.

During the Unitarian Movement of the early 19th century, Old South was the sole Congregational Church in Boston to adhere to the doctrine of Trinitarianism. In 1816 Old South Church joined with Park Street Church to form the City Mission Society, a social justice society to serve Boston’s urban poor. During the American Civil War, Old South became a recruiting center for the Union Army under minister Jacob Manning. Though the congregation was not entirely abolitionist, it strongly supported the Union cause. The conclusion of the Civil War was followed by an expansive time of increased inclusion for the congregation. Under minister George Angier Gordon the congregation moved from its meeting house at Washington Street to its Back Bay location in 1875, occupying the present church constructed on newly filled land.

Old South’s commitment to urban ministry and care continued on into the 20th century becoming a segue for the inclusion of new members increasingly diverse by race, class, and sexual orientation. The congregation supports the God is still speaking initiative of the United Church of Christ, and has formally adopted a platform of equality, social justice, and peace.

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religion, religious, church, old south church, copley square, boston, massachusetts, usa, david davies

Comments

  • cherylc1
    cherylc1over 1 year ago

    Outstanding capture and fasinating history!

  • Thanks, Cheryl, it’s a beautiful old building.

    – David Davies

  • David Davies
    David Daviesover 1 year ago

  • Lilian Marshall
    Lilian Marshallover 1 year ago
    A beautiful capture David . Love the point of view .
  • Thank you, Lillian!

    – David Davies

  • Roy  Massicks
    Roy Massicksover 1 year ago
    Terrific capture David – there is something about old churches that call out to be photographed.
  • The architecture, both inside and out is such a draw. Where the best pictures are! lol

    – David Davies

  • michellerena
    michellerenaover 1 year ago

    Great capture David

  • Thank you, Michelle!

    – David Davies

  • Ralph de Zilva
    Ralph de Zilvaover 1 year ago

    Terrific shot David. Love these old churches.
    Wish you and yous a safe, healthy, prosperous and Happy New Year

  • Thank you, Ralph! Old churches are like magnets to my camera!

    – David Davies

  • Lee d'Entremont
    Lee d'Entremontover 1 year ago

    WONDERFUL Capture! I Love seeing my home town through other peoples photography!

  • Thank you, Lee! More to come!

    – David Davies

  • Tom Gomez
    Tom Gomezover 1 year ago

    Super capture, fantastic building …

  • Thank you, Tom, glad you like!

    – David Davies

  • photojeanic
    photojeanicover 1 year ago

    Love the colors and all in this, David – parts look almost like a fine illustration, and perfect with just the bit of tree branch!

  • Thank you, Jean; a very happy and healthy 2011 to you!

    – David Davies

  • Al Bourassa
    Al Bourassaover 1 year ago

    Lovely processing David.