Park Street Church facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Park Street Church
Park Street Church, Boston, 2014
Park Street Church Location in Boston
42°21′25″N 71°03′44″W / 42.356911°N 71.062151°W / 42.356911; -71.062151
Location	Downtown Boston, Massachusetts
Country	United States
Denomination	Conservative Congregational
Membership	1200
Weekly attendance	2000
Website	ParkStreet.org
History
Founded	February 27, 1809 (1809-02-27)
Architecture
Architect(s)	Peter Banner
Completed	1809
Specifications
Height	217 feet (66 m)

The Park Street Church, started in 1809, is a famous and active evangelical Christian church in Downtown Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It is a member of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference. The church has over 1,200 members. You can find it at 1 Park Street, right on the corner of Tremont Street.

History of Park Street Church

Park Street Church is an important stop on Boston's Freedom Trail. The idea for the church began in 1804. A group called the "Religious Improvement Society" started meeting weekly for prayers and talks. This group officially formed the church on February 27, 1809. Twenty-six people from the area, many from the Old South Meeting House, wanted to create a church with traditional Christian beliefs.

Park Street Church in 1904

The first stone of the church was placed on May 1, 1809. The building was finished by the end of that year. Peter Banner was the architect, Benajah Young was the main builder, and Solomon Willard was the woodcarver. Banner's design was inspired by older building plans and looks like churches designed by Christopher Wren in London.

The church's tall steeple reaches 217 feet (66 m) high. It is still a landmark you can see from many parts of Boston. From 1810 to 1828, the church was the tallest building in the United States. For much of the early 1800s, it was the first big building travelers saw when they came to Boston.

The church is right next to the historic Granary Burying Ground. This area used to be where a granary (a building for storing grain) stood, which is how the burial ground got its name. The first church service was held on January 10, 1810. The church became known as "Brimstone Corner." This was partly because of its passionate preaching about helping others. It was also because gunpowder was stored there during the War of 1812.

Important Moments and People

Park Street Church has a strong history of supporting missions and sharing Christian teachings. It also applies Scripture to social issues. The church has many notable "firsts." Edward Dorr Griffin was the first pastor from 1811 to 1815. In 1816, Park Street Church joined with Old South Church to create the City Mission Society. This group helped Boston's poor city residents.

The Park Street steeple in 2017

In 1826, Edward Beecher became the church's pastor. He was the brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe, who wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Their father, Lyman Beecher, was a famous abolitionist (someone who wanted to end slavery). On July 4, 1829, William Lloyd Garrison spoke at Park Street. This was his first major public speech against slavery.

From 1829 to 1831, Lowell Mason, a famous music composer, led the choir and played the organ. The church was also where the song "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" (also known as "America") was first performed. This happened on July 4, 1831, and was written by Samuel Francis Smith.

Park Street Church also helped start the first American Mission to the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaii). The Handel and Haydn Society, a famous music group, also began there. Benjamin E. Bates, who started Bates College in Maine, was a Sunday school teacher at Park Street in the mid-1800s. In 1857–58, a religious leader named Charles Finney led a special event at Park Street. This event helped the pastor, Andrew Leete Stone, have a spiritual awakening.

Gleason Archer, a well-known Christian scholar, was an assistant pastor at Park Street from 1945 to 1948. His father, Gleason Archer Sr., who founded Suffolk University, led the Park Street Men's Club in the 1920s. In 1949, Billy Graham, a famous evangelist, started his first big tour at Park Street. Harold J. Ockenga was the senior pastor from 1936 to 1969. During his time, he helped start Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with Billy Graham. He also helped create Fuller Theological Seminary, the National Association of Evangelicals, and the Christian magazine Christianity Today.

In 1974, the church built a new Church Ministries Building next to the main church. This building has a modern design with concrete, large windows, and purplish brick. It connects well with the historic area around it. In the 1990s, the church bought the buildings at 2 and 3 Park Street.

Park Street Church Today

Church interior in 2007

The church still follows its Statement of Faith, which was first adopted in 1877 and confirmed again in 2003. After more than 200 years, the church is still involved in important social issues. For example, Park Street Church helped start Boston Trinity Academy in 2002. This private high school in Hyde Park helps students in inner-city Boston. More than 70% of its students receive scholarships, and over 50% are from minorities.

The church also offers many English classes for international students and immigrants during the week. It supports ministries for the homeless, like the Boston Rescue Mission and Park Street's own HOME ministry. It also works with centers that help pregnant women.

Park Street Church has many different groups and classes. These include programs for children and teens, young adults, college students, and international students. There are also classes to learn about Christianity and adult education.

Park Street is a diverse church with members from over 60 countries. The church believes that education and faith go together. It is connected with Park Street Kids, Park Street School, and Boston Trinity Academy. It also partners with groups like Campus Crusade for Christ and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship for college and graduate students. The church has a long-standing partnership with Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Boston Mayor Menino declared February 27, 2009, as Park Street Day. This was to celebrate the church's 200th birthday.

Senior Ministers (1811–Present)

Park Street Church, 19th century

• Edward D. Griffin 1811–1815
• Sereno E. Dwight 1817–1826
• Edward Beecher 1826–1830
• Joel H. Linsley 1832–1835
• Silas Aiken 1837–1848
• Andrew Leete Stone 1849–1866
• William H.H. Murray 1868–1874
• John L. Withrow 1876–1887; 1898–1907
• David Gregg 1887–1890
• Isaac J. Lansing 1893–1897
• Arcturus Z. Conrad 1905–1937
• Harold J. Ockenga 1936–1969
• Paul E. Toms 1969–1989
• David C. Fisher 1989–1995
• Pablo Polischuk (Interim) 1995–1997
• Gordon P. Hugenberger 1997–2017
• Phil Thorne (Interim) 2017–2019
• Mark L. Booker 2020–

Images for kids

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  Edward Griffin, minister 1811–1815

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  Overview of Common, with Park St. Church (left), across from the Masonic Temple on Tremont St., 1850

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  19th century

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  Park St. Church, 19th century

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  Hamilton Place, with Park St. Church in distance, c. 1885

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  c. 1890

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  Park Street Church, 1920

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  Subway construction, 1896

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  Arturus Conrad, minister 1903–1937

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  Deacons, 1909

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  Tremont St. and Park St. Church, 1915

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  Park Street Church lot at Mount Auburn Cemetery, 2008 photo