Colonial meeting house

Built using tax money, the colonial meeting house was the focal point of the community where the town's residents could discuss local issues, conduct religious worship, and engage in town business.

[citation needed] The meeting houses that survive today were generally built in the second half of the 18th century.

The other doors were located in the middle of the east and west walls, and were used by women and men, respectively.

Box pews were provided for families, and single men and women (and slaves) usually sat in the balconies.

Many of the typical white New England churches started out as a colonial meeting house.