North End in Boston in Suffolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
The First Steeple
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, September 18, 2023
1. The First Steeple Marker
For Old North's first 17 years (1723-1740), there was no wooden spire on top of the brick tower. Imagine how different it must have looked! In 1737, church leaders began a subscription campaign to collect money to fund the construction of the spire. A large early gift came from a group known as "The Gentlemen of the Bay of Honduras" who donated a ship's entire cargo load of logwood, a valuable commodity grown in the tropics. The church sold the logwood and put the proceeds in the fund. Other supporters and congregants made gifts-some larger, some smaller-as well. In the summer of 1740, the wooden spire was built in a nearby field. Workers hoisted it onto the tower and then celebrated with a feast. The finished steeple, topped with a golden weathervane, made Old North the tallest structure in Boston. Its impressive height and elegance were a statement by the young congregation.
Picture courtesy of Boston Public Library, Print Department (Marker Number 2.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1740.
Location. 42° 21.978′ N, 71° 3.273′ W. Marker is in Boston, Massachusetts, in Suffolk County. It is in North End. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Salem Court and Salem Street, on the
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Weathervane (here, next to this marker); The Old North Church & Historic Site (here, next to this marker); The Great Gale of Boston (here, next to this marker); 1775 (here, next to this marker); 1954 Hurricane Carol (here, next to this marker); A North Ender's Memory (here, next to this marker); The Third Steeple (here, next to this marker); St. Francis Chapel (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boston.
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, September 18, 2023
2. The First Steeple Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 52 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 25, 2023, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
