Historic Concord
The First Parish Church
Patch examines one of the country's oldest churches.
The First Parish Church first hosted a gathering July 15, 1636 in New Town – in what would be modern day Cambridge. The first Reverend's to lead what the puritan settlers called “meetings” were Rev. Peter Bulkeley and Rev. John Jones. From here the church flourished and became a central figure in the political and spiritual make-up of early Concord. In October of 1774, after British troops took over Harvard dorms in the infamous Boston blockade, the church functioned as classrooms for Harvard students and even helped to find homes for the wayward students throughout the community. “Students were farmed out to various families,” said First Parish Curator and Sacristan, Douglas Baker. “The church was happy to provide classroom space for …
