King’s Chapel & King’s Chapel Burying Ground

Phone: (617) 523-1749

King’s Chapel
58 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02108

Hours & Admission

King's Chapel

Open daily for tours 10am-4pm

(Except during Sunday
& Wednesday services)
Call ahead for tour times

Admission	$1.00
Donation Bells & Bones Tours (By request)	$8.00

King's Chapel Burying Ground

Open daily 9am-5pm

Admission Free

King’s Chapel

Established in 1686, King’s Chapel became the first Anglican Church in New England and the official church of Loyalist Boston. The present building was constructed in 1749, and with over 31,000 sermons, the church currently houses the oldest pulpit still in use in the United States. In 1785, the church became the first Unitarian Church in America. Ben Franklin, George Washington, John Hancock, Louisa May Alcott, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Paul Revere are just a small sample of the famous patrons who have graced the church. The present congregation of 450 members continues to use the same Order of Service and Book of Common Prayer since 1785.

King’s Chapel Burying Ground

King’s Chapel Burying Ground, located behind the church, and accessed through an entrance on Tremont Street, is the oldest burying ground in Boston proper. It pre-dates King’s Chapel and, despite its name, is not affiliated with the church. The original church was built on public land appropriated by the royal governor at one end of the already existing Puritan burying place. The burying ground is still property of the City of Boston.

King’s Chapel Burying Ground is the final resting place of many early colonists including John Winthrop (1588-1649), first governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony; Mary Chilton (1607-1679), the first woman to step off the Mayflower; William Dawes (1745-1799), patriot dispatched to ride to Lexington and Concord, along with fellow patriot, Paul Revere.

Additional Information

Visit the website here: www.kings-chapel.org

Preservation at King’s Chapel Burying Ground

As Boston proper’s oldest burying ground, King’s Chapel Burying Ground on the Freedom Trail is the final resting place of many notable Bostonians who shaped the city in its earliest years. Its residents include John Winthrop, Massachusetts’ first Governor, and Mary Chilton, the first woman to step off the Mayflower.

Boston Harborfest at King’s Chapel

During Harborfest, explore King’s Chapel’s long rich history, interesting architectural details, 18th century crypt and Paul Revere bell on “Bells & Bones” guided tours. See the schedule below.

The Stranger’s Tomb

Of the 21 tombs that lie beneath the sanctuary at King’s Chapel, one stands out from the rest. The entrance to this tomb—unnumbered, holding no family name—sits at the base of the Bell Tower, a bricked-up portal through the heavy stone foundation.

The Hidden Wonders of King’s Chapel

For you architecture fans out there, you will be pleased to note that King’s Chapel, completed in 1754, offers one of the most ornate displays of Georgian Architecture on the East Coast.

The Swaying Pendulum of Sound

While the rich revolutionary history of King’s Chapel is often spotlighted, few visitors ever encounter the interesting architectural finds within the 257-year-old building.