King's Chapel & Burying Ground

Overview

King's Chapel, founded in 1686 as the first Anglican church in Boston, now serves as an independent Unitarian congregation. Adjacent is the city's oldest burying ground (1630), the final resting place of Governor John Winthrop and other colonial-era Bostonians.

Highlights

• Georgian Interior: Corinthian columns, a wine-glass pulpit, and colonial-era box pews.
• Burying Ground: Boston's oldest cemetery (1630) contains graves of early colonists and the Mather family.
• Bell: Cast by Paul Revere's foundry in 1816, the largest bell Revere ever made.

History

Originally built as a wooden church in 1686 by order of King James II, the current granite structure was erected around the wooden one in 1749-54 (the old church was then dismantled and thrown out the windows). The congregation became Unitarian in 1785.

Visitor Tips

• Free to enter: Donations appreciated; the burying ground is freely accessible.
• Concerts: Regular classical and choral performances.
• Duration: 20–30 minutes.