Old South Church, Newburyport MA

History of Old South Church

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Biography of George Whitefield :: Virtual Tour :: For Further Reference

Take a Virtual Tour of Old South Church
If you'd like to take an in person tour of Old South, visit our Church Tours page for information. We welcome history buffs, school groups, bus tours of Essex County, and welcome you to come learn more about Early American History and our Church's role.

You are now beginning a tour of one of the oldest wooden frame churches still in continuing use in New England, having been built in 1756. The spirit of religious fervor which prompted the people to build this house of worship spread itself to the governmental freedom of the people in the early beginnings of our country. Here, great men and their families worshiped and supported the cause of the revolution. Every pew on the main aisle contained a Sea Captain at its head and among the worshipers were the early Mayors of our city, leading educators of that time, ship builders, mill owners, lawyers, doctors and last but not least, Newburyport's self-appointed Lord, “Lord” Timothy Dexter. The architecture of the building is styled after those built by Sir Christopher Wren.

From top to bottom, points of interest are:

The Bird of Dawning Weathervane was first put on the spire in 1759. The original was made of pure copper, gilded, and weighed 53 pounds, being hollow inside. When the new spire was built in 1848, the cock was taken down and re-gilded. Mementos of the day were said to have been sealed inside the rooster. On April 8, 1987 , it was mysteriously stolen from atop the steeple. Fred Bell, a long time member of the Church and skilled draftsman drew up a set of plans from early photos and drawings of the original, and had local craftsman build the replacement that proudly sits atop our steeple today.

The Paul Revere Bell is still hand rung on Sundays, Holidays and special occasions. It was cast by Paul Revere in 1802 and purchased by Mr. Benjamin Wyatt, as a representative of a Committee, in 1803. The payment receipt, signed by Paul Revere, is preserved in our archives.

The first bell was bought in 1772, and hung with the first tower clock in 1785.

The Tower Clock was given by the Plummer Family in loving memory of their brother. From 1785 to 1895, a tower clock of wooden works was used which only had an hour hand from which to tell time.

^ return to top In the Vestibule

The Whitefield Desk was owned by our first Pastor, the Rev. Jonathan Parsons and was used by the Rev. George Whitefield to preach from. The style of this desk is an early architects desk.

Tything Rods. These are replicas of the original used by the sexton. The side with the feathers was used to tickle dozing ladies behind the ear, while the ball on the other side was used to rap snoring gentlemen or noisy boys during the long services, often 3 hours in length.

Painting of the Old Meeting House was executed in Antwerp for Capt. Charles Plummer, a parishioner, and was purchased by the Ladies and Gentleman's Association. This was how the church looked until 1829. The original pulpit was on the north face, rather than the east face as it is situated today.

Glass Cases contain a display of interesting artifacts relating to George Whitefield and to Old South.

^ return to top In the Upstairs Galleries of the Sanctuary

The Organ is a very well preserved E.G.G. Hook organ which was installed in 1866 for $3,800. This is actually the third organ in service at Old South.

The first was purchased in 1828 for $800 and is still in existence in Ipswich.

The Slave Pews are the elevated pews at the rear on either side of the organ. There were 25 slaves once owned by the members of the Church and these pews were used for them. In front of these pews there are benches which were used for children who were required to attend the service from the local asylum. The Whispering Gallery was one of the early noted marvels of the Old South sanctuary – its amazing acoustics. A person standing or seated in or near the Slave Pews can quietly whisper to a neighbor while a person seated on the opposite corner of the first floor or second floor gallery could hear them speaking very clearly. It was rumored that this feature was taken advantage of by the slave owners to hear what the slaves were saying of them.

^ return to top In the Sanctuary, Entering on the Left and Moving to the Front

Stove Alcoves are located along the back wall. Wood and coal was used for heat. The stovepipes were suspended from the ceiling over the pews and traversed the ceiling to where it vented over the pulpit.

Pew #106 contains an original hanging cuspidor (spittoon).

The Cenotaph was installed in 1829, the year that extensive renovations to the sanctuary caused the moving of Rev. George Whitefield's remains under the new pulpit as they rest today. It was commissioned by William Bartlet in loving memory of Rev. Whitefield. Mr. Bartlet was the only signer on the original incorporation of the American Board of Foreign Missions.

The Communion Table Prior to the re-layout of the sanctuary, communion was served at a round table on hinges on the Beck Street side of the church. After 1829, communion was served at the pews from the table in front of the pulpit. This particular table is called a sideboard, circa 1810.

The Sailing Bench sits in front of the pulpit against the wall. This bench was installed in the Captain's cabin of a grand Newburyport sailing ship, fastened to the wall, and thus having no rear legs – note the added rear legs for stand-alone use.

The Frescoing and Curtains in the back of the pulpit was done in 1856 by an Italian named Philip Gulepa.

The Lighted Cross above the pulpit was given by elder George E. Morey.

Pew #76 is the Pastor's family pew – note the casting of the Lord's Supper.

Pew #78 was the Elders' Pew – notice the holes below the seat for holding the tall beaver hats commonly worn by gentlemen of the day.

^ return to top Downstairs to the Crypt

The Crypt is of beehive construction, built 7 feet wide by 7 feet deep by 7 feet tall with a steel door and lock and key all being placed there in 1829, when the remains of the three friends were moved from beneath the original pulpit on the north wall, to this, their final resting place.

The slate covers you see today were placed over the coffins after 1932. On the left lies Old South's first Pastor, the Rev. Jonathan Parsons, a close friend of Rev. Whitefield, and in whose Manse the Rev. Whitefield died. On the right lies the Rev. Joseph Prince, a blind minister who traveled all over the New England states and preached over 10,000 sermons despite his infirmity. In the center, between his close friends lies the Rev. George Whitefield.

A photo to the right of the crypt shows the arrangement of the coffins prior to 1932 when George Whitefield's coffin lay across the feet of his friends. Many thousands of visitors before you to this crypt were able to peer into Rev. Whitefield's coffin. His skull was worn to a shiny white hue by the throngs of visitors who wished a close encounter. It was closed to viewing by an order from the City, and forever sealed beneath the tablets you see today.

George Whitefield's right arm bone was stolen a few years prior to 1829 and carried to England. It came into the possession of a Mr. Bolton, a great friend and admirer of Whitefield. He returned it to Old South in September, 1849 in a small wooden box.

The Skull and Bible Casting were made from Rev. Whitefield's skull in 1834 by William B. Fowle in Boston who sent the skull anonymously to London to a leading phrenology expert. In a letter contained in our archives to a committee overseeing the casting of Whitefield's skull, Mr. Fowle points a little known, curious fact of George Whitefield's likeness:

“Perhaps, it will interest you to know that those of us who have studied the character of Whitefield, and compared it with his skull, find so great a coincidence that our belief in phrenology is much strengthened. By placing the skull in a natural position, and drawing a vertical line from the orifice of the ear to the top of the head, you will find, what you rarely find in the head of a great good man, that the larger part of the brain falls behind the ear. This indicates more feeling than intellect; and is not this the key to his wonderful power over others?”

Visitors to the Tomb of Rev. George Whitefield are kindly invited to sign the log book located near the crypt, noting your place in history. It is estimated that there have been well over 30,000 visitors to this crypt since is relocation here in 1829. In 2005, there have been over 400 visitors from 35 states and eight different countries.

^ return to top Upstairs to the Pastor's Gallery

Pastors' Portraits This room contains portraits of every Pastor to serve Old South. There is even a crayon copy of an original Copley painting of Rev. Jonathan Parsons, and early oil portraits of our early pastors. Note the brief biography that is provided under each portrait.

Sunday School Here in this location was started the fourth Sunday School in the United States. The original building was on this site, and was replaced by the vestry building you are looking at today.

^ return to top

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	The Bird of Dawning Weathervane was first put on the spire in 1759. The original was made of pure copper, gilded, and weighed 53 pounds, being hollow inside. When the new spire was built in 1848, the cock was taken down and re-gilded. Mementos of the day were said to have been sealed inside the rooster. On April 8, 1987 , it was mysteriously stolen from atop the steeple. Fred Bell, a long time member of the Church and skilled draftsman drew up a set of plans from early photos and drawings of the original, and had local craftsman build the replacement that proudly sits atop our steeple today.
	The Paul Revere Bell is still hand rung on Sundays, Holidays and special occasions. It was cast by Paul Revere in 1802 and purchased by Mr. Benjamin Wyatt, as a representative of a Committee, in 1803. The payment receipt, signed by Paul Revere, is preserved in our archives. The first bell was bought in 1772, and hung with the first tower clock in 1785.
	The Tower Clock was given by the Plummer Family in loving memory of their brother. From 1785 to 1895, a tower clock of wooden works was used which only had an hour hand from which to tell time.
^ return to top	In the Vestibule
	The Whitefield Desk was owned by our first Pastor, the Rev. Jonathan Parsons and was used by the Rev. George Whitefield to preach from. The style of this desk is an early architects desk.
	Tything Rods. These are replicas of the original used by the sexton. The side with the feathers was used to tickle dozing ladies behind the ear, while the ball on the other side was used to rap snoring gentlemen or noisy boys during the long services, often 3 hours in length.
	Painting of the Old Meeting House was executed in Antwerp for Capt. Charles Plummer, a parishioner, and was purchased by the Ladies and Gentleman's Association. This was how the church looked until 1829. The original pulpit was on the north face, rather than the east face as it is situated today.
	Glass Cases contain a display of interesting artifacts relating to George Whitefield and to Old South.
^ return to top	In the Upstairs Galleries of the Sanctuary
	The Organ is a very well preserved E.G.G. Hook organ which was installed in 1866 for $3,800. This is actually the third organ in service at Old South. The first was purchased in 1828 for $800 and is still in existence in Ipswich.
	The Slave Pews are the elevated pews at the rear on either side of the organ. There were 25 slaves once owned by the members of the Church and these pews were used for them. In front of these pews there are benches which were used for children who were required to attend the service from the local asylum. The Whispering Gallery was one of the early noted marvels of the Old South sanctuary – its amazing acoustics. A person standing or seated in or near the Slave Pews can quietly whisper to a neighbor while a person seated on the opposite corner of the first floor or second floor gallery could hear them speaking very clearly. It was rumored that this feature was taken advantage of by the slave owners to hear what the slaves were saying of them.
^ return to top	In the Sanctuary, Entering on the Left and Moving to the Front
	Stove Alcoves are located along the back wall. Wood and coal was used for heat. The stovepipes were suspended from the ceiling over the pews and traversed the ceiling to where it vented over the pulpit.
	Pew #106 contains an original hanging cuspidor (spittoon).
	The Cenotaph was installed in 1829, the year that extensive renovations to the sanctuary caused the moving of Rev. George Whitefield's remains under the new pulpit as they rest today. It was commissioned by William Bartlet in loving memory of Rev. Whitefield. Mr. Bartlet was the only signer on the original incorporation of the American Board of Foreign Missions.
	The Communion Table Prior to the re-layout of the sanctuary, communion was served at a round table on hinges on the Beck Street side of the church. After 1829, communion was served at the pews from the table in front of the pulpit. This particular table is called a sideboard, circa 1810.
	The Sailing Bench sits in front of the pulpit against the wall. This bench was installed in the Captain's cabin of a grand Newburyport sailing ship, fastened to the wall, and thus having no rear legs – note the added rear legs for stand-alone use.
	The Frescoing and Curtains in the back of the pulpit was done in 1856 by an Italian named Philip Gulepa.
	The Lighted Cross above the pulpit was given by elder George E. Morey.
	Pew #76 is the Pastor's family pew – note the casting of the Lord's Supper.
	Pew #78 was the Elders' Pew – notice the holes below the seat for holding the tall beaver hats commonly worn by gentlemen of the day.
^ return to top	Downstairs to the Crypt
	The Crypt is of beehive construction, built 7 feet wide by 7 feet deep by 7 feet tall with a steel door and lock and key all being placed there in 1829, when the remains of the three friends were moved from beneath the original pulpit on the north wall, to this, their final resting place.
The slate covers you see today were placed over the coffins after 1932. On the left lies Old South's first Pastor, the Rev. Jonathan Parsons, a close friend of Rev. Whitefield, and in whose Manse the Rev. Whitefield died. On the right lies the Rev. Joseph Prince, a blind minister who traveled all over the New England states and preached over 10,000 sermons despite his infirmity. In the center, between his close friends lies the Rev. George Whitefield. A photo to the right of the crypt shows the arrangement of the coffins prior to 1932 when George Whitefield's coffin lay across the feet of his friends. Many thousands of visitors before you to this crypt were able to peer into Rev. Whitefield's coffin. His skull was worn to a shiny white hue by the throngs of visitors who wished a close encounter. It was closed to viewing by an order from the City, and forever sealed beneath the tablets you see today. George Whitefield's right arm bone was stolen a few years prior to 1829 and carried to England. It came into the possession of a Mr. Bolton, a great friend and admirer of Whitefield. He returned it to Old South in September, 1849 in a small wooden box.
	The Skull and Bible Casting were made from Rev. Whitefield's skull in 1834 by William B. Fowle in Boston who sent the skull anonymously to London to a leading phrenology expert. In a letter contained in our archives to a committee overseeing the casting of Whitefield's skull, Mr. Fowle points a little known, curious fact of George Whitefield's likeness:
“Perhaps, it will interest you to know that those of us who have studied the character of Whitefield, and compared it with his skull, find so great a coincidence that our belief in phrenology is much strengthened. By placing the skull in a natural position, and drawing a vertical line from the orifice of the ear to the top of the head, you will find, what you rarely find in the head of a great good man, that the larger part of the brain falls behind the ear. This indicates more feeling than intellect; and is not this the key to his wonderful power over others?”
	Visitors to the Tomb of Rev. George Whitefield are kindly invited to sign the log book located near the crypt, noting your place in history. It is estimated that there have been well over 30,000 visitors to this crypt since is relocation here in 1829. In 2005, there have been over 400 visitors from 35 states and eight different countries.
^ return to top	Upstairs to the Pastor's Gallery
	Pastors' Portraits This room contains portraits of every Pastor to serve Old South. There is even a crayon copy of an original Copley painting of Rev. Jonathan Parsons, and early oil portraits of our early pastors. Note the brief biography that is provided under each portrait.
	Sunday School Here in this location was started the fourth Sunday School in the United States. The original building was on this site, and was replaced by the vestry building you are looking at today.
^ return to top