King's Chapel

In 1688, the Royal Governor built King's Chapel on the town burying ground when no one in the city would sell him land to build a non-Puritan church. The first King's Chapel was a tiny church used by the King's men who occupied Boston to enforce British law. By 1749, the building was too small for the congregation, which had grown to include a number of prominent merchants and their families. The present stone structure was built around it to avoid disturbing services.

The congregation hired America's first architect, Peter Harrison, to design a church "that would be the equal of any in England." The new church was completed in 1754. Harrison's plans included a steeple, which has never been built, and a colonnade, which was not completed until after the Revolution. The magnificent interior is considered the finest example of Georgian church architecture in North America. The church’s exterior columns appear to be stone, but in fact are painted wood, a cost-saving tromp l’oeil.

King's Chapel
Corner of Tremont and School Streets
617-227-2155
Summer Hours: Mon. Thu. Fri. Sat. 10:00 - 4:00
Winter Hours: Sat. 10:00 - 4:00
Services are held Wednesdays, 12:15pm and Sundays 11:00am
Concerts at King's Chapel: Tue. 12:15, Sun.5:00 (see website for performers)
www.kings-chapel.org

UNLUCKY 13 There is a legend that says prisoners condemned to hang on Boston Common could say their last prayers in King’s Chapel’s 13th pew, or the pew of the condemned. No one knows where pew #13 was located in the Chapel during the time of the Revolution. Whatever its location, it was one of the last unlucky stops for those on their way to the gallows.

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Sign-up to receive updates on upcoming Freedom Trail events and tours – view full calendar –	Home > Visitor > King’s Chapel King's Chapel In 1688, the Royal Governor built King's Chapel on the town burying ground when no one in the city would sell him land to build a non-Puritan church. The first King's Chapel was a tiny church used by the King's men who occupied Boston to enforce British law. By 1749, the building was too small for the congregation, which had grown to include a number of prominent merchants and their families. The present stone structure was built around it to avoid disturbing services. The congregation hired America's first architect, Peter Harrison, to design a church "that would be the equal of any in England." The new church was completed in 1754. Harrison's plans included a steeple, which has never been built, and a colonnade, which was not completed until after the Revolution. The magnificent interior is considered the finest example of Georgian church architecture in North America. The church’s exterior columns appear to be stone, but in fact are painted wood, a cost-saving tromp l’oeil. King's Chapel Corner of Tremont and School Streets 617-227-2155 Summer Hours: Mon. Thu. Fri. Sat. 10:00 - 4:00 Winter Hours: Sat. 10:00 - 4:00 Services are held Wednesdays, 12:15pm and Sundays 11:00am Concerts at King's Chapel: Tue. 12:15, Sun.5:00 (see website for performers) www.kings-chapel.org UNLUCKY 13 There is a legend that says prisoners condemned to hang on Boston Common could say their last prayers in King’s Chapel’s 13th pew, or the pew of the condemned. No one knows where pew #13 was located in the Chapel during the time of the Revolution. Whatever its location, it was one of the last unlucky stops for those on their way to the gallows.