Old North Church: Balcony Tours

Take a gallery tour at Old North Church to see the church's 1759 pipe organ.

Old North Church

Old North Church offers special themed tours of its gallery. See below for its offerings.

Cheeky Cherub Tour (currently offering)

A paint restoration project is currently underway at Old North to remove layers of white overpaint and reveal some of the church’s colonial-era artwork! Expert craftspeople are uncovering 16 angels in the balcony arches that were painted in the late 1720s and 1730s by congregation member John Gibbs. Visitors to Old North in November and December will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch the conservation team in action and see long-hidden history being revealed.

For the best views of the paint restoration project, we suggest taking our Cheeky Cherub Tour! One of our knowledgeable Educators will take you up to the sanctuary’s balcony, where you can see the beautiful 18th century cherubs in all their splendor. You’ll learn about the sanctuary’s evolving decor over the centuries, how this artwork is tied to the church’s religious identity, and what tools and techniques the conservation team is using to uncover those cheeky cherubs.

Hidden Histories Tour

Old North’s gallery is a paradoxical space — home to both the church’s undesirable balcony seating and some of the sanctuary’s most costly and ornate items. In this guided tour, you’ll learn about the experiences of early Black congregants, both free and enslaved, who historically sat in the gallery. You’ll also get an up-close look at Old North’s beautiful 1759 pipe organ and the 17^th century carved angels flanking it. The tour weaves together the stories of the many people whose labor and contributions shaped Old North into the place it is today.

Group Size: 1 – 15 people

Note: Participants should be comfortable climbing stairs and must keep a close eye on any children in their group.

For more information, visit Old North Church's website.

Details

Duration

15 Minutes

Activity

Guided Tours

Group Size: 1 – 15 people

Note: Participants should be comfortable climbing stairs and must keep a close eye on any children in their group.

For more information, visit Old North Church's website.

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

Yes

Tickets: $5 per person. Children 5 and under are free.

Location

Old North Church

Reservations

No

Reservations are not required, but it is possible to book tours in advance. Please visit Old North Church's Admission & Pricing page for more information.

Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Time of Day

Day

Accessibility Information

This tour involves climbing stairs to the gallery of Old North Church.