The Freedom trial: third stop

Twenty-six charter members covenanted together to form Park Street Church in 1809. In a time of increasing apostasy from the gospel and rising Unitarianism in New England, a small group of devoted Christians, primarily from Old South Church, formed a “Religious Improvement Society” in 1804 to hold weekly prayer meetings and lectures. Though they faced opposition from all sides, the group continued to meet for six years, founding Park Street Church in February of 1809. This small group acted in faith that God would use their efforts to accomplish no small task. And he did. By April of 1809, the location in the center of town was chosen to serve as a beacon of the hope we have in Christ. By 1810, the small congregation had grown and raised over $100,000 to complete the construction of the current meetinghouse.

Park Street Church was the tallest building in the city from the time it was built until 1867. Before the water surrounding Boston was filled in to create Back Bay and other neighborhoods, someone arriving by water could see the steeple from all directions. Author Henry James called the building “the most interesting mass of bricks and mortar in America”.

Park Street church lofty architecture reflects even a loftier mission of human rights. Park Street Church became known for supporting abolishment causes. On July 4th, 1829, a young William Lloyd Garrison delivered his first major public speech against slavery.

Garrison’s four propositions introduced at Park Street Church were the following:

1. Above all others, slaves in America deserve “the prayers, and sympathies, and charities of the American people.”

2. Non-slave-holding states are “constitutionally involved in the guilt of slavery,” and are obligated “to assist in its overthrow.”

3. There is no valid legal or religious justification for the preservation of slavery.

4. The “colored population” of America should be freed, given an education, and accepted as equal citizens with whites.

1831

On July 4, 1831, Park Street Church Sunday school children performed America (My Country 'Tis of Thee) for the very first time. The tune—which you might recognize also as God Save the Queen—was adapted by Park Street organist, Lowell Mason, to fit the lyrics penned by Samuel Francis Smith.

1849

1848 was a violent year in Europe. Tens of thousands of people were killed in pursuit of political revolutions. In 1849, Charles Sumner, a fervent abolitionist and future US senator, gave an impassioned speech at the 20th anniversary meeting of the American Peace Society. He argued that nations going to war to solve disagreements was as absurd as cities going to battle over a dispute, and that a governing body should adjudicate differences between nations the same way the US Supreme Court settles conflicts between states.

1944

70 years ago Park Street Church in Boston decided that during Lent they were collectively going to fast from one meal per week and give the money they saved forgoing that meal to the churches “War Relief Fund”. This fund was designed to help churches in Europe rebuild after World War II. Eventually the War Relief Fund became World Relief.

Present Day

Park Street Church on Boston's Freedom Trail, has quietly & not so quietly shaped US evangelicalism for 200 years. The active Conservative Congregational church in Downtown Boston averages 2,000 in Sunday attendance and has around 1,000 members. It is located at 1 Park Street, at the corner of Tremont Street.