King's Chapel and its burying ground occupy the corner of Tremont and School Streets at 58 Tremont Street in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. The Anglican congregation was established in 1686 on the order of the crown, in a colony founded by Puritans who had little tolerance for the Church of England. The land was taken from the town burying ground because residents refused to sell. The first building was wooden; the present granite structure was built between 1749 and 1754 to designs attributed to Peter Harrison, with Quincy granite hauled to the site. Its severe exterior contrasts with a Georgian interior of Corinthian columns, box pews and a canopied pulpit. The wooden columns are painted to imitate stone, and the building never received its planned steeple. After the Revolution, loyalist Anglicans fled and the congregation adopted a liberal theology, becoming the first Unitarian church in the United States in 1785. The chapel still holds services and houses a bell cast by Paul Revere, widely regarded as one of the finest he made. The adjacent burying ground, established in 1630, is the city's oldest. Its slate headstones with winged skulls, hourglasses and cherubs show the evolution of New England gravestone art. Notable burials include John Winthrop, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Mary Chilton, a Mayflower passenger, and William Dawes, who rode with Paul Revere on 18 April 1775. Interpretation is largely by guided tours and wayside markers instead of a formal museum. Conservation work on the stones and building continues, and many early markers are fragile and weathered. A visit to the burying ground takes about 20 minutes, with an extra 30 to 45 minutes for a chapel tour. The site is a Freedom Trail stop, and it is also a working place of worship.
| Admission | Burying ground free; chapel donation |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily; hours vary |
| Address | 58 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108 |
Why it matters
King's Chapel was founded in 1686 as the first Anglican church in Puritan Massachusetts, and its adjoining burying ground is the oldest in Boston. It later became the first Unitarian church in America.
Location
58 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108
42.3581, -71.0602 View on map
Highlights
- Walk the oldest burying ground in Boston, established in 1630
- See the graves of Governor John Winthrop, Mary Chilton and William Dawes
- Admire the granite chapel and its Georgian interior with box pews
- Hear about the Paul Revere bell cast for the chapel
Tips for visiting
- Chapel interior access is limited around services, so check current hours before visiting.
- A small donation or tour fee is requested for chapel entry.
- Look for the winged-skull and hourglass carvings on the earliest slate stones.
- Pair the visit with the nearby Granary Burying Ground, a short walk along Tremont Street.
When to visit
Mornings on weekdays are quietest. Autumn light suits the carved slate stones.
Accessibility
The burying ground paths are uneven and may be difficult for wheelchair users. Visitors with mobility needs should ask about chapel access in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Is the burying ground free to enter?
Yes. The burying ground can be viewed free of charge, while the chapel interior usually requests a donation or tour fee.
How long does a visit take?
About 20 minutes for the burying ground and up to an hour with a chapel tour.
Is the chapel still an active church?
Yes. It hosts Unitarian services and concerts, which can limit sightseeing access at times.