{{coord, 42, 48, 31, N, 70, 51, 58, W, type:landmark_region:US-MA, display=title Newbury Port MA Old South Church PHS697

First Presbyterian Church, also known as Old South, is a

Presbyterian Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism that broke from the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland by John Knox, who was a priest at St. Giles Cathedral (Church of Scotland). Presbyterian churches derive their nam ...

congregation in Newburyport, Massachusetts that is part of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The church building is located at 29 Federal Street in Newburyport. The current pastor is the Reverend Laurel Cockrill. The congregation began meeting in April 1746, following the ministry of the

Methodist Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a group of historically related denominations of Protestant Christianity whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's ...

evangelist and preacher George Whitefield in the region. In 1756, over 100 men constructed the current meetinghouse on Federal Street in 3 days. Whitefield died in the church parsonage in 1770 while visiting Jonathan Parsons, and his remains were buried under the pulpit of the meeting house at his request. The bell in the clock tower was cast by

Paul Revere Paul Revere (; December 21, 1734 O.S. (January 1, 1735 N.S.)May 10, 1818) was an American silversmith, engraver, early industrialist, Sons of Liberty member, and Patriot and Founding Father. He is best known for his midnight ride to a ...

. Among the notable people to attend church were "Lord" Timothy Dexter, Capt. Abraham Wheelwright, Isaac Wheelwright,

Caleb Cushing Caleb Cushing (January 17, 1800 – January 2, 1879) was an American Democratic politician and diplomat who served as a Congressman from Massachusetts and Attorney General under President Franklin Pierce. He was an eager proponent of territor ...

Adolphus Greely Adolphus Washington Greely (March 27, 1844 – October 20, 1935) was a United States Army officer and polar explorer. He attained the rank of major general and was a recipient of the Medal of Honor. A native of Newburyport, Massachusetts an ...

, and Samuel Tufts.

External links

Official church web site
Churches completed in 1756 Protestantism in Massachusetts Landmarks in Massachusetts History of Methodism in the United States Presbyterian churches in Massachusetts Buildings and structures in Newburyport, Massachusetts Churches in Essex County, Massachusetts 18th-century Presbyterian church buildings in the United States

See also

External links