Did John Winthrop’s settlers realize they were making history at First Church, Charlestown? In 1630, they gathered at this very spot, then a fledgling settlement. They established First Church. This was even before Boston truly existed. First Church, Charlestown predates the iconic city across the river. It was a cornerstone of faith for the earliest colonists. The congregation originally held services in the Great House at City Square. They were instrumental in the founding of Harvard University. Rev. John Harvard himself served here, right at First Church, Charlestown, until his untimely death in 1638. This church bore witness to the birth of a nation. It weathered the storms of revolution. During the Battle of Bunker Hill, the original church building fell victim to flames set by British troops. Yet, First Church, Charlestown endured. A second building rose, only to be replaced by a daughter church building in the 1800s. The current building echoes the original design. It even holds traces of another dramatic chapter in Boston’s history: the bussing controversy. Look closely. Some of the front windows still bear the scars of that turbulent era, a stark reminder of the struggles faced here at First Church, Charlestown. This isn’t just a building. It’s a living testament to resilience, a thread woven through the very fabric of Boston’s story.
Rumney Marsh Burial Ground
A chill wind whispers through the aged headstones. This is Rumney Marsh Burial Ground. This historic cemetery dates back to