Old South church in 2005.

First Presbyterian Church "Old South" of Newburyport, Massachusetts is a Presbyterian congregation in Newburyport, Massachusetts that is part of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The self-declared mission of the church (as of 2007) is to be “a biblically grounded Presbyterian Church seeking to be true to our rich historical heritage by providing a community of worship for all who wish to embrace a faith-centered life in the Christian tradition.” The current pastor is Rev. Rob John. Presbyterianism is part of the Reformed churches family of denominations of Christian Protestantism based on the teachings of John Calvin which traces its institutional roots to the Scottish Reformation, especially as led by John Knox. ... Newburyport is a small coastal city in Essex County, Massachusetts, 38 miles (61 km) northeast of Boston. ... Emblem of the PC(USA) The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) or PC(USA) is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. ...

The congregation began meeting in the 1750s, following the ministry of the Methodist evangelist and preacher George Whitefield in the region. He died in Newburyport in 1770 and his remains were buried under the pulpit of the meeting house at his request. The Methodist movement is a group of denominations of Protestant Christianity. ... George Whitefield (December 16, 1714 - September 30, 1770), was a minister in the Church of England and one of the leaders of the Methodist movement. ...

The bell in the clock tower was cast by Paul Revere. Portrait of Paul Revere by John Singleton Copley, c. ...

Among the notable people to attend church were "Lord" Timothy Dexter, Capt. Abraham Wheelwright, Isaac Wheelwright, Caleb Cushing, Adolphus Greely, and Samuel Tufts. Lord Timothy Dexter Lord Timothy Dexter (January 22, 1748- October 26, 1806), as he was sometimes termed by admiring contemporaries, was an American eccentric businessman who was peculiarly lucky and never bothered to learn to spell. ... Caleb Cushing (January 17, 1800–January 2, 1879) was an American statesman and diplomat who served as a U.S. Congressman from Massachusetts and Attorney General under President Franklin Pierce. ... Adolphus Washington Greely (1844 - 1935) was an American Polar explorer. ...

External links

• Official church web site