Hingham in Plymouth County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Old Ship Church
1630 - 1930
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, September 30, 2007
1. Old Ship Church Marker
Erected in 1681, it is the oldest church structure in the United States to have been used continuously for public worship. Samuel Lincoln, original American ancestor of Abraham Lincoln, worshipped here regularly.
Erected 1930 by Massachusetts Bay Colony-Tercentenary Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Unitarian Universalism (UUism) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1681.
Location. 42° 14.465′ N, 70° 53.234′ W. Marker is in Hingham, Massachusetts, in Plymouth County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Elm Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 90 Main St, Hingham MA 02043, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the South Shore. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hingham Massachusetts (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Reverend Peter Hobart (approx. 0.2 miles away); Samuel Lincoln House (approx. Ό mile away); Abraham Lincoln (approx. Ό mile away); Benjamin Lincoln (approx. Ό mile away); General Benjamin Lincoln House (approx. 0.3 miles away); POW/MIA Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Great Abolitionist Pic Nic of 1844 (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hingham.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Historical markers erected by Massachusetts Bay Colony. Original 1930 publication by the Commonwealth
this page online
2. Hingham Historical Society. The Society maintains its headquarters at Old Derby Academy, a handsome Federal-style structure on lower Main Street that more than 200 years ago was a co-educational school. Besides being a meeting place for the Society and repository for many of its archives, Old Derby is available to rent for special occasions. (Submitted on October 15, 2011, by Russell Chaffee Bixby of Bernardston, Massachusetts.)
3. Old Ship Meeting House: Where Generations Meet.
Built in 1681, Old Ship served two purposes: as a meeting house where civic issues of the day were discussed, and as a place of worship on Sundays.(Submitted on May 3, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
Additional keywords. Unitarian Universalism
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, March 25, 2026
2. Old Ship Church
West face (front) of Old Ship Church including burial ground (Gen. Benjamin Lincoln tomb left) and Bell Tower (right).
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, September 30, 2007
3. Old Ship Church
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, September 30, 2007
4. Old Ship Church
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, September 30, 2007
5. Hingham Memorial Bell Tower
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, September 30, 2007
6. Bell Tower Plaque
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, September 30, 2007
7. Parish House
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett
8. Hingham Town Seal
Town Seal depicting Old Ship Church and Settlers Burial Ground atop hill between the church and the Hingham Historical Society building.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, May 17, 2026
9. Old Ship Church
Old Ship Church from the west in May before the buttonwood leaves.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 4,203 times since then and 95 times this year. Last updated on April 27, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. Photos: 1. submitted on October 9, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 2. submitted on March 25, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 9, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 8. submitted on January 8, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. 9. submitted on May 17, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
