Overview

Park Street Church is a stop on the Freedom Trail, down the hill from the State House. Built in 1809, the basement served as a gunpowder storage depot during the War of 1812. Abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison gave his first anti-slavery speech here and the Granary Burying Ground, where many famous early Bostonians are buried, is just steps away. The Federalist brick-and-wood building features a 217-foot steeple and granite steps. The church houses an active Congregationalist parish.