Park Street Church
The Park Street Church in Boston, Massachusetts is an active Conservative Congregational Church at the corner of Tremont Street and Park Street.
Park Street Church is a historic stop on the Freedom Trail. It was founded in 1809 by twenty-six local people, mostly former members of the Old South Meeting House. The cornerstone of the church was laid on May 1 and construction was completed by the end of the year, under the guidance of Peter Banner (architect), Benajah Young (chief mason) and Solomon Willards (woodcarver).
The church quickly became known as "Brimstone Corner", though whether this was for the storage of gunpowder during the War of 1812 or for the fiery sermons delivered from the corner balcony overlooking Boston Common is not entirely clear. The church continues this tradition with a strong voice opposing same-sex marriage. Pastor Gordon P. Hugenberger actively opposes same-sex marriage whether it be religously, or civilly sanctioned. In a Boston Globe article he is identified as a signatory of a statement supporting a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. [1]
Park Street Church has a strong tradition of missions, evangelical doctrine, and application of Scripture to social issues. On July 4, 1829, William Lloyd Garrison delivered his Address to the Colonization Society at Park Street, making his first major public statement against slavery. The church also hosted the debut of America by Samuel Francis Smith on July 4, 1831.
Today, Park Street is a thriving congregation. Thousands of worshippers join together at one of the four services held each Sunday and participate in the dozens of ministries and missions and outreach programs the church hosts.[citation needed] Park Street is an international Congregation, with members from more than 60 countries. The church attracts many regular worshippers from among the undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty at Boston-area universities.
The church is currently pastored by Gordon P. Hugenberger, and the associate minister is Daniel Harrell.