Boston's oldest church opens crypt for

Boston’s oldest church, Old North Church, opens its crypt for much-needed renovations. Image: Karl Solano|Unsplash

The Old North Church, the oldest church in Boston, Mass., recently opened its crypts to pave way for an ongoing renovation project.

Old North Church Renovations

According to the Facebook page of WCVB Channel 5 Boston, the church opened its crypts, revealing 37 tombs that have been with the church for centuries.

WCVB wrote that the tombs were laid in the church from 1732 until 1860.

During the renovation and restoration project, the crypts are also observed by a team of funerary archaeologists such as Jane Rousseau. Rousseau said that during the process, the team would not disrupt any burial sites and would ensure they would be respectful.

The funerary archaeologist said that the people who lain to rest in the church's crypt were early residents of the area who belonged to the church. As for the restoration, the project aims to maintain the crypt and its historical integrity.

According to the article, the project includes masonry restoration, brick replacement, and wall cleanup. After the project, the area of the crypts will be made open for tourists interested in seeing and exploring the church's history and the city it serves.

Old North Church

According to the church page, the Old North Church is the oldest church building and the longest-serving Episcopal Church in the city of Boston. Because of this, the church is also a museum and a historic site.

The church says that it is a congregation with more than a hundred members that reflects the city as it has people from different generations and walks of life coming together to worship God.

It says that it is committed to following the principles of the Gospel when it comes to justice and service. As such, the church strives to make a positive impact in the community.

History of Old North Church

According to the National Park Service page, it is a church built in 1723 patterned after the works of British architect Christopher Wren.

The article says it started as a church under the official church of England. It is known for its history of patriot defiance, saying that it reflected the story of the divide between the "Friends of the Government" and "Sons of Liberty."

The church page says that it became a part of the Diocese of Massachusetts in 1939 as a mission. This was because of the low membership and financial hardships that the church faced during the Great Depression.

Today, the church is an integral part of the city, with Rev. Dr. Matthew P. Cadwell leading the church as the vicar-in-charge.

Dr. Matthew P. Cadwell

The church page says that the reverend has been leading the church since November 2020. Before Old North, the pastor served as the rector of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Wakefield, Mass.

He is a Minnesota native who graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a bachelor's degree in Religion and Scandinavian Studies. He also holds a doctorate in Anglican history, theology, and ecclesiology from the University of Toronto.