This historic church building was built in 1729. Yearly anniversary meetings of the Boston Massacre were held at this church until 1775. Most notable speakers include John Hancock and Joseph Warren. Britain’s debt doubled following the war against France. The thirteen colonies seemed to be an easy source of revenue. On May 10, 1773, the British government passed the Tea Act which introduced arbitrary taxes and granted the East Indian Company a monopoly on the tea trade.
On March 5th, 1770 five male civilians were murdered and six others were injured on this site by the British during what is known as the Boston Massacre. John Adams, the cousin of the Revolutionary leader Samuel Adams wrote "the foundation of American independence was laid on March 5, 1770".
The steeple was the highest point on the highest ground in the city of Boston, so that when both lanterns were lid by Robert Newman on April 18 1775, they were seen very well and alarmed the Patriots in Charlestown that the British were advancing by boat across the Charles River. “one if by land, and two if by sea”, poem immortalized by Longfellow.
