First Presbyterian Church, Newburyport on:
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First Presbyterian Church, also known as Old South, is a
Official church web site
{{coord, 42, 48, 31, N, 70, 51, 58, W, type:landmark_region:US-MA, display=title 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
First Presbyterian Church, also known as Old South, is a Presbyterian
Presbyterianism is a historically Reformed Protestant tradition named for its form of church government by representative assemblies of elders, known as "presbyters". Though other Reformed churches are structurally similar, the word ''Pr ...
congregation in Newburyport, Massachusetts
Newburyport is a coastal city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, northeast of Boston. The population was 18,289 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. A historic seaport with a vibrant tourism industry, Newburyport includes p ...
that is part of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church (USA), abbreviated PCUSA, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination, denomination in the Religion in the United States, United States. It is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States too. Its th ...
. 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 Protestant Christianity, Christian Christian tradition, tradition whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's brother ...
evangelist and preacher George Whitefield
George Whitefield (; 30 September 1770), also known as George Whitfield, was an English Anglican minister and preacher who was one of the founders of Methodism and the evangelical movement. Born in Gloucester, he matriculated at Pembroke Coll ...
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, military officer and industrialist who played a major role during the opening months of the American Revolutionary War in Massachusetts, ...
.
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 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts and the 23rd United States Attorney General under President ...
, 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, ...
, and Samuel Tufts.
See also
* First Religious Society Church and Parish Hall, 26 Pleasant Street, Newburyport, a church similar in appearance (white, historic)External links
Official church web site
{{coord, 42, 48, 31, N, 70, 51, 58, W, type:landmark_region:US-MA, display=title 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