Pioche Daily Record

The Old South Church Boston, which narrowly escaped destruction by the recent fire, is, doubtless, the most noted church edifice in the United States.

The Old South Society was the third Congregational Society in Boston, and was organized in 1669, in consequence of a curious theological quarrel in the First Church.

The first church building of this society, was erected in 1669, stood for 60 years. It was of cedar, and it had a steeple and galleries, with the pulpit on the north side. It was taken down in 1729, when the present building was erected on the same spot, and religious services were held in it for the first time on the 26th of April, 1730. (O. S.)

The Old South is frequently mentioned in the pages devoted to the history of Boston before and during the Revolution. In 1775 the British soldiers, eager to insult those by whom they were so cordially hated, but whom they held so completely in their power, occupied this meeting-house as a riding-school and place for cavalry drill. They established a grog shop in the lower gallery, which they preserved in part for spectators of their sport. The rest of the galleries were tore down, and the whole interior was stripped of its wood work. The floor they covered with about two feet of dirt. At this time the church was without a pastor, and no new pastor was ordained until 1779. In 1782 the building was thoroughly repaired and put in very much its present condition.