The Parish House Was “The House by the Side of the Road”
Primarily used by church members as a community space and boarding house starting in 1915, today, the church continues to use the Parish House for church administration, the work of the historic site, hosting worshippers after church, and other special events.
Early Days: The Women’s Guild’s Hospitality House
Before the Parish House became the House by the Side of the Road, it was known for providing a warm welcome, entertainment, and overnight accommodation to servicemen visiting the church, in hopes of making the “little house an adventure in Friendship for [the] boys.” Upon seeing the friendships forged between people from vastly different backgrounds within the walls of the Parish House, the Women’s Guild was inspired to open its doors to the American public. They sought to establish Old North as the heart of the North End community—a space where churchgoers could pray, neighbors socialize, and visitors absorb the patriotic history of Boston.
Learn more, including how Louise W. Montague, the first president of the guild, described the project in patriotic terms.
Perspectives on the Historic Role of the House
in 2022, Research Intern and Educator Delaney Sieber, recorded this video: Centering Women’s Work in the History of Old North Church’s Parish House. It offers perspective on the role of the house in the early 1900s.
The Parish House Today
Today, the Parish House serves as the office for the congregation’s clergy and leadership and for the Old North Illuminated team. On Sundays, parishioners gather in the Parish House for a coffee hour after the church service. The Parish House is also frequently rented for private events on Old North’s campus.
