Old West Church
A living legacy of justice and service.
A Brief History
Old West Church is the sixth home of the first congregation of the New England Conference of The United Methodist Church. Originally situated in Boston's North End and known as "Methodist Alley," it later became the First Methodist Church in Boston.
The building, a registered "historic place" with the National Park Service, was built in 1806 in the "meeting house" architecture style by congregationalists. Once a safe house on the Underground Railroad prior to the Civil War, the church is one of two post-colonial era buildings that survived the destruction of the West End during the "urban renewal" of the 1950s.
From 1896-1920, the church served as the End End Brand of the Boston Public Library. It was purchased by Methodists from the city in 1962, and became home to the congregation of Old West Church.
In 2023, Old West Church joined the Union Combined Parish.
Food Forest at Old West Church
In 2014, the congregation boldly converted the church's front yard into a Food Forest and Pollinator Garden. After years of planning and fundraising, it was expended in 2021 to its current layout which includes hundreds of perennial plants, two cherry trees, a plum tree, and two Roxbury Russets. Today, dozens of volunteers gather to steward the land and maintain this gorgeous park.
Learn more about stewarding the land.
Opus 55 Fisk Organ
Old West Church is home to a world-renowned Charles Fisk organ, the Opus 55. Dedicated on Easter Sunday of 1971, this three-manual organ with a mahogany case is a magnificent teaching, recital, and worship instrument.
The Old West Organ Society has long preserved this organ, and hosts public concerts throughout the year.
Learn more about the organ and the Society.
Visit Old West Church
Old West Church is located at 131 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02214.
Old West Church is open Mondays at 5:00 PM for Monday Night Dinner, where all persons are welcome for a hot meal.
The Food Forest is open during the growing season on Saturdays at 10:00 AM.
Learn more about renting our spaces, including Old West Church. For other inquiries, contact the Church Office.