Now we proceed toward the Old North Church whose tall white steeple we can see in the distance.Old North Church is located in the section of Boston known as the North End. The North End has changed drastically over the centuries. It was Boston's first neighborhood and has been inhabited ever since 1630's by tradesmen and mechanics. The area contained a lot of industry such as mills. After independence the area changed and not for the better. The port was very active, noisy and smelly. Many people moved out to get away from this problem and the area continued to be run down and decline with property values droping. Then came the Irish Potatoe Famine discussed previously and the flood of Irish immigrants and they settled in the North End because they could not afford to live anywhere else. It is said that roughly 50,000 Irish immigrants settled in Boston ( North End ) during the period 1845 to 1855. The poverty of these immigrants, the problems created by the port activities and the sailors looking for a good time after being at sea for months contributed to this area becoming an horendous slum. Fortunately as the American Dream came true for many of these Irish immigrants they began to prosper and moved to better neighborhoods. Next there was a flood Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe and they settled in the North End. The Italian immigrants were the next group to move into the North End and they make up the majority of the North End population today. As we walked around when you seperated the chatter of the tourist and concentrated on the population we heard a lot of Italian being spoken however many of the older beautiful buildings are being converted to expensive residences and a lot of the houses are being converted to shops catering to tourist so many of the Italians can no longer afford to live in the area. While we did not get to sample any of the good food in this area there were numerous bakeries, cafes, pastry shops, restaurants and stores selling all sorts of good smelling food and deserts. Yes we kept walking watching our weight you know. As we walked toward Old North Church we came across the following musical instrument. This is a Glass Armonica. This instrument was invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761. Franklins Armonica had 37 bowls. The bowls are mounted on a spindle turned by a treddle and the operator lightly placed his wet fingers on the different sized bowls to create different tones. He was on break and did not play while we were passing by. Interesting the binder holding the material he is reading is a software company. I don't know exactly what type material the binder held. You can see his tip container on the table in front of him. Apparently Franklin had heard of making music on wine glasses filled with different amounts of liquid and he invented the Armonica as an instrument that could play more than two notes at a time. Now come on and admit it you have at times wet the tip of your finger and run it around the rim of a glass to make a noise. I know I have. I use to just bother my wife Jan by dooing this. We might be eating out and she would comment on the nice water glasses perhaps their shapes and i would say well lets see if they are crystal or not and before she could threaten my life I would have the glass singing a very high pitched note. Enough of this lets get on to Old North Church.
Glass Armonica Instrument
Before we get to Old North Church we come to Paul Revere Mall which has statues of Paul Revere and some other interesting items.
On The Right You See The Gold Topped Tower Of St. Stephen's Church. This Is On Hanover Street Which As You Can See Was A Bustling Area.
Statue Of Paul Revere. We Know Of Paul Revere Famous Ride To Warn That The British Are Coming. This Ride Was Memorialized By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's " Midnight Ride Of Paul Revere "
A Better View Of The Statue Of Paul Revere.
This Plaque Was On The Paul Revere Statue.
Old North Memorial Garden Honors Fallen Members Of U. S. Military Of Iraq And
Afghanistan Wars.
Unique Way To Use Dog Tags In A Memorial
Old North Church ( I think This Is A Beautiful Photograph. )
The name Old North Chirch is a nick name. The official name is Christ Church In Boston and was first used for worship services December 29,1723. It is the oldest church in the North End. It also has the distinction of having the highest steeple which is 191 feet tall. The steeple has been knocked down twice by hurricans. Of course the most famous event in American history happened here and that was where Paul Revere signaled with the lanterns. There are so many wonderful stories and facts about this church and it's history many books have been written about it. It is almost the same as it was in colonoal days. It has the high box pews that are used to ward off wind drafts. I think I was told these boxes could seat six or so people and they were expensive. You had to buy your box and your name was put on it. Obviously the North End people attending services here were well off merchants and other who could afford to pay the high fees. I talked to one of the guides or greeters at the door and asked him about the bells in the steeple and if they are rung today. He had a lot of information that he shared. The bells are the first ones ever brought to America and were cast in England in 1744. There are eight bells. He explained that in colonial days they used young boys to ring the bells. In fact Paul Revere as a 15 year old rang the bells. At that time the bells were often rung for two hours each evening. The boys agreed to do this once a week so there were 7 boys who agreed to do this.
One interesting thing about this church is that it is was an Angelican or Church Of England. Wew have seen a number of times before that the colonist had a lot of troubled with the Angelican church but this congregation was different in the respect that the majority of worshipers were merchant rather than government officials. Many of the taxes laid on the colonist were very hurtful especially the merchants so they had a natural bent to be frustrated and you might say anti government. For this reason this congregation was much more likely to be more liberal of movements and talks about opposition to England.
Magnificant Organ Built In America. I Would Loved To Have Heard It Played. The Clock Below The Organ Still Works And Was The Original Clock In The Church.
These Plaques Are The Lords Prayer And The Ten Commandments 
Enlargement Of The Ten Commandments Plaque
Enlargement Of The Ten Commandments Plaque
Name Of The Owner Of This Box In 1725. Paul Revere's Son Joseph Warren Revere's Name Is On Pew 54.
View Inside Old North Church Looking Back Over The High Walled Boxes. Note The Two Brass Chandeliers Which Were A Gift And First Used Christmas Eve in 1724. They Are Still Used.
Another View Of Old North Church
If you are fortunate enough to visit the Old North Church be sure to ask about the guided tour. This takes you down to see the 37 crypts whhich contain the graves of 1,100. You also get to see the lower levels of the bell tower. There is no cost to see the church or the tour but donations are encouraged and appreciated.
Now we leave Old North Church and follow the red bricks up to Copp's Hill Burting Ground. By this time after all the walking my knees are really barking at me and when we got there there were several steps we had to climb. Oh well it will only hurt for a little while.
Freedom Trail Marker
Copp's Hill Burying Ground
Sign Telling About Copp's Hill Burying Ground
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