[2] The first church on this site was built in 1737 as a wood-frame building, and was occupied as a barracks by British troops during their occupation of the city prior to the American Revolution.

Four shallow brick pilasters, each two stories high and trimmed with white wood, separate the three entry doors.

On the final half-story beneath the cupola are clocks on each face of the tower, each adorned with a light swag.

Jonathan Mayhew, the church's second Congregational pastor, spoke out as early as 1750 about the right of removing tyrannical leaders.

[citation needed] Other notable pastors included Charles Lowell, and Cyrus Augustus Bartol.