Park Street Church
Park Street Church is a historic Congregational church at 1 Park Street, Boston, MA 02108, on the edge of Boston Common at the corner of Tremont Street. The congregation formed in 1809, and its 217-foot steeple has been a Boston landmark for more than 200 years. The church is a stop on the Freedom Trail, sits between the Massachusetts State House and the Granary Burying Ground, and has ties to two well-known 19th-century moments: William Lloyd Garrison's 1829 anti-slavery speech and the first public performance of "America" in 1831. This page covers the address, hours, history, what to see, and how to fit the church into a day with Boston Sightseeing, since the tour map lists it near Stop 3.
Location
Park Street Church is at 1 Park Street, Boston, MA 02108, at the corner of Park and Tremont Streets, on the northeast corner of Boston Common. The Park Street T station is right next to it, which makes it one of the easiest Freedom Trail stops to reach by public transportation. On foot, the Massachusetts State House is a short walk uphill on Beacon Street, and the Granary Burying Ground sits next door along Tremont Street.
If you ride with Boston Sightseeing, the tour map lists Park Street Church near Stop 3, Downtown, and Boston Common is Stop 4. Either stop leaves you within a few minutes' walk of the church steps.
Park Street Church Hours And Admission
The church's visitor page lists hours of Monday through Saturday, 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, with the church closed on July 3 and July 4. It lists admission as free. That page does not give dates for the schedule, and visitor hours at historic churches are often seasonal, so confirm which hours apply on the day you plan to visit. The church also holds two Sunday morning worship services, but its page does not give the times, and it does not say when tours run, so call or check the church's website before you plan around an interior visit. Hours and access can change for services, weddings and events.
If the listed 3:00 PM closing applies, the church fits best as an early or midday stop. A morning ride on the bus, followed by a visit before mid-afternoon, leaves time for the nearby Freedom Trail sites.
History Of Park Street Church
Park Street Church was founded on February 27, 1809, by 14 men and 12 women who wanted to uphold orthodox Christian teaching, especially the Trinity, at a time when Unitarian ideas were spreading in Boston. The cornerstone was laid on May 1, 1809, and the first worship service was held on January 10, 1810. That is why you will see both 1809 and 1810 in different accounts: one marks the building project, the other the first service.
Peter Banner And The Steeple
Architect Peter Banner designed the church in the Federal style. The steeple rises 217 feet, 9 inches, and the church says it was once the first landmark visible to people approaching Boston. Banner proposed the steeple's design, and church leaders limited it to three tiers.
Why It Is Called Brimstone Corner
The nickname "Brimstone Corner" is often linked to fervent preaching, but the practical explanation is better documented: during the War of 1812, gunpowder ingredients were stored in the church's crypt. The church's own history page describes the gunpowder story and says the name did not come from fire-and-brimstone sermons, so the preaching explanation is best treated as popular lore.
Garrison And The Anti-Slavery Lectures
According to the church, Park Street hosted a six-year series of anti-slavery lectures in the 1820s. On July 4, 1829, William Lloyd Garrison gave his first major public speech against slavery from the pulpit here. The church describes the speech as a landmark moment for the abolition movement.
Where "America" Was First Sung
On July 4, 1831, a choir performed Samuel Francis Smith's song "America," also known as "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," at the church for the first time. Smith wrote the lyrics earlier that year, in February 1831. That connection is one reason Park Street Church draws visitors who are not part of the congregation.
What To Do At Park Street Church
Most visitors come for the steeple and the history, not for a long visit, so plan on about 15 to 30 minutes unless you are able to go inside.
Start With The Exterior
Stand across Tremont Street or on the edge of the Common for the best view of the full steeple and the facade. The church's position on the corner, with the Common behind it and the State House gold dome uphill, explains why it was a prominent landmark for so long.
Step Inside If The Sanctuary Is Open
The church says it is open to visitors on posted weekday and Saturday hours and that admission is free. Because the church does not list its tour season on its visitor page, confirm access before you go. Respect worship services, weddings and private events, which can close the sanctuary at short notice.
Walk The Freedom Trail From Here
Park Street Church is one of the first stops on the Freedom Trail, so it works as a starting point. Walk down Tremont Street to the Granary Burying Ground, then continue to the other sites on the trail. See the Freedom Trail guide for the full route.
Nearby Attractions
The church sits in a small area packed with Boston landmarks, so most of these are a walk of a few minutes.
- Granary Burying Ground: Right beside the church on Tremont Street, a Freedom Trail stop with early Boston graves.
- Boston Common: The oldest city park in the United States, behind the church, and Stop 4 on the Boston Sightseeing route.
- Massachusetts State House: The gold-domed state capitol, uphill on Beacon Street, and Stop 8 on the route.
- Boston Public Garden: The formal garden across Charles Street from the Common. It is farther than the other stops, so allow time for the walk.
- Old South Meeting House: Another Freedom Trail site, a short walk along the trail.
- King's Chapel: A nearby historic church on Tremont Street, covered on its own page.
- Beacon Hill: The historic neighborhood just behind the State House, reached by walking uphill.
For a wider plan, see things to do in downtown Boston.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Park Street Church address?
Park Street Church is at 1 Park Street, Boston, MA 02108, at the corner of Park and Tremont Streets, beside Boston Common.
Where is Park Street Church in Boston?
It is on the northeast edge of Boston Common, between the Massachusetts State House and the Granary Burying Ground, next to Park Street T station.
Is Park Street Church open to the public?
The church's visitor page lists Monday through Saturday, 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, and says admission is free. These hours may be seasonal, so confirm current hours with the church before you go, since services and events can also change access.
What are the Park Street Church hours?
The church's visitor page lists Monday through Saturday, 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, and says it is closed on July 3 and July 4. The page gives no season dates, so check the church's website for the hours that apply on your day.
What is the history of Park Street Church?
The church was founded in 1809, the cornerstone was laid on May 1, 1809, and the first worship service was held on January 10, 1810. Peter Banner designed it in the Federal style, and its steeple is 217 feet, 9 inches tall.
When did Park Street Church open?
The cornerstone was laid on May 1, 1809, and the first worship service was held on January 10, 1810, so many sources date the opening to 1810.
Why is it called Brimstone Corner?
The church says the nickname comes from gunpowder ingredients stored in its crypt during the War of 1812, not from fire-and-brimstone sermons. Some accounts also credit the church's fervent preaching.
What happened at Park Street Church in 1829 and 1831?
On July 4, 1829, William Lloyd Garrison gave his first major public anti-slavery speech here. On July 4, 1831, a choir first performed "America," also known as "My Country, 'Tis of Thee."
Is Park Street Church on the Freedom Trail?
Yes. It is one of the first stops on the Freedom Trail, between the Massachusetts State House and the Granary Burying Ground.
Is Park Street Church near a Boston Sightseeing stop?
Yes. The tour map lists it near Stop 3, Downtown, and Boston Common is Stop 4. The All Day ticket covers Stops 1 to 8.
Planning a Tour of Boston with Boston Sightseeing
Boston Sightseeing runs a hop-on hop-off double-decker bus tour with live commentary, so you can get off at a stop, walk to the church, and rejoin the route later. The tour map lists Park Street Church near Stop 3, Downtown, and Boston Common is Stop 4. The Massachusetts State House, a short walk from the church, is Stop 8.
The bus runs daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The church's listed hours end at 3:00 PM, so ride early and plan the church before mid-afternoon, then confirm its hours. The All Day ticket covers Stops 1 to 8, including Stops 3, 4 and 8. The Boston and Charlestown ticket covers Stops 1 to 11, and the Cruise Terminal ticket covers Stops 1 to 8 and 12 to 15. See the ticket cards below for current options, and use the hop-on hop-off tour map to see every stop. The complete guide to hop-on hop-off tours in Boston explains how the tickets compare.
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