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    King's Chapel Burying Grounds

    4.0 (19 reviews)

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    Hannah S.

    King's Chapel has become one of my absolute fave burying grounds over the years. Every time I'm in Boston, I find myself wandering over here - it has some of the best memento mori and so much history. I always try to catch the chapel open bc I would love to see inside - especially the crypts - but somehow never seem to catch it open lol. This burying ground isn't actually affiliated with the chapel itself as it's much older - it was established in 1630!! (see my previous review for more details). It's a stop on the Freedom Trail and very much worth exploring. There's also a lovely mosaic on the sidewalk outside that marks the site of the oldest public school in America of which Benjamin Franklin was an alumni! What I love most and what keeps me coming back is the memento mori and the peaceful calm over the site amidst all the hustle and bustle of the city. There are two beautiful, very unique examples of memento mori right in the front by the street - both with various depictions of Father Time battling Death. Very interesting and beautifully preserved. I've not seen this particular motif on any other memento mori as of yet. There are lots of info signs around the grounds and it's particularly lovely in autumn of course. Highly recommend.

    Eva G.

    Walking over to Faneuil Hall I stopped by here to pay my respects and appreciate history here in Boston. It's a beautiful solemn place.

    The King's Chapel
    Helene S.

    King's Chapel Burying Ground is the oldest cemetery in Boston. It was founded in 1630, the same year that Boston was founded. The earliest graves and tombs were scattered in no specific pathway. In the early 19th century, cemeteries were like public parks and beautification projects ensued. An iron gate was added. Headstones were moved to follow pathways, but often did not match the body buried below. Many governors, patriots and pilgrims are buried at this historic cemetery. William Dawes rode in 1775 to warn the Continental Army about the British on the same evening as Paul Revere. Mary Chilton is believed to be the first woman who stepped off the Mayflower onto land. John Winthrop was the first governor of Massachusetts. Thomas Brattle advocated against the witch trials. He was also the treasurer for Harvard. William Emerson was the father of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Elizabeth Pain may have inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. Perfect for a quick step back into history along the Freedom Trail.

    Sunny P.

    King's Chapel Burying Ground is part of the Freedom Trail and is a quick stop along the way. It is much smaller than the other cemeteries on the trail but some of the headstones date back to the 1600's. There is no one hugely famous in this graveyard, but it is still worth the visit to walk around and see the old pictures carved into the headstones.

    Boston's King’s Chapel Burying Grounds
    Bruce K.

    Another stop on the Freedom Trail, King's Chapel Burying Group has a number of slightly less famous people but are still important patriots and Massachusetts leaders including Governors and Lieutenant Governors. The great Oliver Wendell is laid to rest here as is Mary ChilTon who was a passenger on the Mayflower. Clear paths exist and it is easy to stay off the grass. A litter pickup is needed here but I did grab a couple of bits and put them in the bin near the exit. Be respectful!

    Alexis B.

    King's Chapel Burying Grounds is a small cemetery next to King's Chapel, both locations on the Freedom Trail. The King's Chapel Burying Grounds is worth a stop if you're hitting all of the spots along the Trail, but it wasn't as meaningful or as interesting to me as the buildings you can tour (including the King's Chapel itself). Still worth a quick stop.

    Alexandra S.

    I love visiting historic cemeteries. The gravestones are like artwork and the stories they tell can be both fascinating and mysterious. The King's Chapel Burying Grounds is the oldest cemetery in Boston dating back to 1630 which is mind-boggling to me. Although so many things in Massachusetts date back at least that far the thought of things happening on the very ground on which I am standing, but back in the 1600s gives me goose bumps. The cemetery is on a small plot of land adjacent to King's Chapel (which is another historic must-see). The gates leading into the cemetery are open most days and one is free to wander in and look about. It can be hard to see some of the stones clearly because one must keep on the cement path and not wander onto the grass due to the fragility of the graves. The etchings and designs that go into many of the gravestones is incredible. They give you an idea what was "in style" depending on the era. The skull with wings is one of my favorites. What is written on the stone about the deceased can be basic and factual to the more poetic and mysterious. There are a number of notable people buried here including John Winthrop who was a Puritan and the first governor of Massachusetts. There is a woman buried here by the name of Elizabeth Pain. She is said to have been the inspiration for Hester Prynne in Nathaniel Hawthorne's book The Scarlet Letter. Elizabeth Pain (1652-1704) had the misfortune (given the era) of having a child out of wedlock. The child died and she was brought to trial for what was claimed to be the child's murder. She was acquitted of this charge but was found guilty of negligence. Her sentence was a fine and a flogging....flogging and whipping being big back in the day. It was said at her trial that she "did not have the feare (sic)of God before hir (sic) eyes and was led by the Instigation of the devil." Who knows what really happened but something tells me this woman was marked as up to no good the moment she gave birth to that child sans husband. Elizabeth ultimately married but died a marked woman at 52. There are lots of interesting tales like this to be found by researching some of the notables buried here. I gave the cemetery only 3 stars because I am concerned about how such an historic place as this can be so freely accessed by the public which causes me worry about the care of the extremely fragile gravestones. They have lasted this long I know but I think when the cemetery is open I believe there should always be some kind of "keeper" minding things. Its location is on super busy Tremont Street. With hordes of pedestrians and heavy street traffic only a few yards away, this is not a good recipe for gravestone preservation. Nonetheless, this site is well worth a visit. For the best experience, find a cemetery tour so you can learn as much as you possible while you are there.

    Sandy Y.

    Located right next the King's Chapel, this historical cemetery is #6 landmark of the Freedom Trial. It is one of the oldest cemetery in Boston, established in1630. It's a relatively smaller cemetery than compared to the Granary Burying Ground and you can walk through it all relatively quickly. Off to the right hand side of the cemetery is a huge pit where it drops all the way to the bottom of the cemetery that's been blocked off by a metal fence.. which left me wondering what it was used for and why it's there. There cemetery itself is very peaceful and definitely not as much foot traffic as Granary. The only thing to be careful is because the gravestone markers are very close to the walking grounds, to NOT rub up against them to wear them down or knock them over to break them. Option to walk through or not since you can pretty much see it all from the outside without having to really step in.

    Info about the Burying Grounds
    Kevin W.

    Very eerie at night. The tombstones are pretty neat to see. Small cemetery. Was not as memoriable as the other Freedom Trail locations, just was a quick and easy stop on my trail walk.

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    King's Chapel Burying Ground is part of the Freedom Trail and is a quick stop along the way.

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    Trinity Church in the City of Boston

    Trinity Church in the City of Boston

    4.3(89 reviews)
    1.0 miBack Bay

    Trinity Church is stunningly beautiful on the outside and even more so on the interior. But more…read moreimportant, the clergy and congregants were kind and accepting of these visitors. When last in Boston, there were renovations being done to the interior. There were no tours or services at the time, but there were windows made available to look in and get a glimpse. I promised myself that when I returned to Boston, that I would visit the Church for a service. The service was beautiful and it was completely packed. I am afraid that during the service, I could not help but take in every detail of the interior. Of course, I didn't feel like I should take any photos at that time (my next visit). Take some time to visit this physical testimony built to God when you are in Boston.

    In mid-November 2025, I visited Trinity Church during a conference as it was only a 10 minute walk…read morefrom the hotel. This Episcopalian church is an American architectural gem and National Historical Landmark. You have to pay a $10 entrance fee to view the interior, but it's worth the expense if you enjoy history, art, or architecture. Alternatively, you can skip the interior and visit the Boston Public Library instead (which has no admission fee). Completed in 1877, Trinity Church is an architectural masterpiece of Henry Richardson who pioneered the "Richardsonian Romanesque" style of clay tile roofs, colorful interiors, and stone-faced exteriors with arches. You can see examples of this building design in Minneapolis, Detroit, Chicago, and Albany, NY. The interior has magnificent stained glass windows and a unique colorful design. One interesting fact from the Self-Guided tour booklet is that Boston's Back Bay was originally a tidal mud flat. So the heavy stone of Trinity Church rests on 4,500 wooden piles, which were pounded through 30 feet of gravel fill, silt, and clay.

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    Trinity Church in the City of Boston - Easter Day services are on Sun., April 20, 2025, at 8 am, 10 am, and 12 pm-- including Blessing of the Runners for the Marathon this year!

    Easter Day services are on Sun., April 20, 2025, at 8 am, 10 am, and 12 pm-- including Blessing of the Runners for the Marathon this year!

    Trinity Church in the City of Boston - Main entrance - stairs and a ramp - handicap accessible

    Main entrance - stairs and a ramp - handicap accessible

    Trinity Church in the City of Boston - Gorgeous historic church in Copley Square - can't miss it!

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    Gorgeous historic church in Copley Square - can't miss it!

    Community Church of Boston - "Did the Resurrection turn Jesus gay?"

    Community Church of Boston

    5.0(2 reviews)
    1.0 miBack Bay

    What can you say about this place? What a deep and rich history that spans the 20th century's…read morepanoply of rad thought and political activism. A place of refuge from the storm to be renewed and go back out to fight The Man! Wonderful music, different every time I attend...classical, jazz, folk, hip hop....a really diverse and smart panoply of speakers make up a full schedule of sundays at Community Church. And it looks like the auditorium hosts a marvelous feast of radical organizing meetings, rehearsals, plays, movies, poetry readings and concerts. Check out this place, the last thang you'd expect in shi shi Back Bay's Copley Square, with its tourists, workplace professionals, and college students: a tribute to Radical Boston....from Sacco/Vanzetti to Defeat the Asshole named Trump. Long live CCB, way into its second century of vibrant community building!

    I too am "opposed to any religion that indoctrinates kids," which is why my daughter attends sunday…read moreschool at the Community Church. Mike C's description of the church is mostly accurate with the exception of the singing for the children. They sing "Go Away in Peace" which is as non-denominational as it gets - I want my daughter to go in peace! Some of the topics the children explore are animal rights, conflicts in Sudan, Black History Month, homosexuality, etc through art, brainstorming, chats, or presentations. The director for the children's program, Justice School, is excellent and caring. I'd recommend anyone who wants to teach their children tolerance and open-mindedness to at least check out the program. Now, go away in peace.

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    Community Church of Boston - #ACLU Training

    #ACLU Training

    Community Church of Boston

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    St Cecilia Parish

    St Cecilia Parish

    4.1(14 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    I have been attending mass at Saint C's pretty regularly for about 2 years now. It is a beautiful…read morechurch, despite looking unassuming on the outside. Though it is always pretty crowded, they offer several mass times and if it works with your schedule, I would HIGHLY recommend attending when Fr. John Unni is leading the mass! (You can find all that information in the mass information on their website). Father John is the absolute best and consistently delivers homilies with meaning, reflection, and challenges us all to think more and be better, whether you are Catholic, Christian, or just spiritual, you will definitely have a deep reflection and takeaway from his message. He and the parish are also extremely inclusive and welcoming to all people, much more than you might expect to find from some Catholic churches! My only warning is that if you are looking for a quick in-and-out service that is under an hour, this probably isn't the best bet for you. It's safer to budget about 1.5 hours for mass here, but believe me when I say that hearing Father John's homily (and he is first in line to make fun of himself for talking too much!) is well worth it!!! The choir is also always full of great talent and a shifting medley of instruments as well. As a bonus, they usually have some coffee and pastries downstairs afterwards, so nothing to fret about if you miss your brunch plans!

    The outside doesn't look like much, but when you walk inside, this Catholic Church is absolutely…read morestunning! The priest was on point with his homily and the parishioners were friendly. I would highly recommend going here if you need a place to worship.

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    St Cecilia Parish
    St Cecilia Parish - Renee & Frances at Mass

    Renee & Frances at Mass

    St Cecilia Parish - My zfaghters & Frances ( Mother)

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    My zfaghters & Frances ( Mother)

    First Church In Boston - 2013 Minns Lecture featuring the Rev. Naomi King and Peter Bowden.

    First Church In Boston

    5.0(3 reviews)
    0.8 miBack Bay

    With several major churches in the Copley Square area it is easy to overlook what in many ways is…read morethe best, a smaller gem located three blocks north of the green line. First Church Boston is one of three Unitarian Universalist churches in Boston and a surprisingly lively place, 383 years old but more contemporary than ever. Every church talks about combining the new with the traditional, but First Church Boston does it. The building is original on the outside along Berkley St. but the inside is Paul Rudolph contemporary. The music can be Bach one week and Bernstein the next. Services address current issues of the day as well as lifelong spiritual concerns. There is a ton going on during the week besides the Sunday morning service, all of it accessible on line. Every UU church is different as there is no central authority in Unitarianism, a situation some call religious democracy. There is no single revealed truth to ascribe to, rather members are encouraged to discover their own spirituality in a course called Building Your Own Theology. Other churches share a set of beliefs: UUs share a set of values. Most Unitarians are made not born, as 90% of UU members transfer to this faith as adults, so UUs have a history of welcoming newcomers from all backgrounds. Members (and staff) of First Church include former Catholics, Episcopalians, Baptists, Jews, Muslims, atheists and agnostics, to name a few. And you want cool? First Church Boston counts as members President John Quincy Adams, John Winthrop, Anne Bradstreet, Anne Hutchinson, Paul Revere. And Ralph Waldo Emerson is a former minister. So grab a blue cup at coffee hour and make new friends as members introduce themselves to you.

    When searching for a church that was conveniently located in Back Bay, there are many to chose…read morefrom. First Church in Boston has always been an open, friendly community with excellent ministry and the best music program in the Back Bay. This community is a great place to start or continue your spiritual journey.

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    First Church In Boston - First Church Boston has new staff for our infant care and program for children ages 4-8.

    First Church Boston has new staff for our infant care and program for children ages 4-8.

    First Church In Boston - The Rev. Stephen Kendrick, Senior Minister, preaching at First Church Boston.

    The Rev. Stephen Kendrick, Senior Minister, preaching at First Church Boston.

    First Church In Boston - First Church Boston has an amazing facility for its children's program.  This photo is of the infant and toddler room.

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    First Church Boston has an amazing facility for its children's program. This photo is of the infant and toddler room.

    King's Chapel Burying Grounds - churches - Updated May 2026

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