"Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch
Of the North Church tower as a signal light,
One if by land, and two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
PAUL REVERE'S RIDE by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
This church is filled with so much history. Paul Revere enlisted the help of other fellow patriots to warn the freedom fights of the approaching British attack using the church steeple. If the British came by sea two lanterns would be lit and hung in the steeple. If by land, one. They came by sea and two lanterns were hung. It was the backup plan if Paul Revere could not get out of Boston to warn the patriots in the countryside. Built in 1723, it was chosen because it was the tallest building, at that time, in Boston.
Paul Revere's descendant's still attend and own the family 'pew box' #54, in this Episcopal Church. Another famous visitor to this church was Theodore Roosevelt.
***Every year on the Sunday closest to April 18th, descendants of the patriots reenact the raising of the lanterns.***
