A Patriot in the Pulpit

Come experience a rousing revolutionary sermon at the Rocky Hill Meeting House. In partnership with Historic New England, we welcome Donald Friary in living history as the Rev. Oliver Noble to the pulpit. He will deliver a discourse first given in Newburyport on March 8, 1775 “in commemoration of the Massacre at Boston, March the Fifth, 1770,” arguing biblical justification to the Patriot cause that would soon lead to the American Revolution.

Donald Friary, a historian of religion and architecture in early America, will appear in character as Mr. Noble. The service will be accompanied by the prayers, readings, and music heard in a New England Congregationalist meetinghouse. Following the service, Friary will discuss and respond to questions about the role of the New England clergy in the American Revolution and the Puritan plain style in the service of worship, the sermon, meetinghouse architecture, and literature.

Tickets $20. Click here to purchase: https://my.historicnewengland.org/19099/a-patriots-in-the-pulpit

This program is part of Essex County Revolution 250 – an initiative of Essex Heritage in partnership with Massachusetts Rev250 and dozens of regional museums, heritage sites, and organizations, with the intention of raising awareness and highlighting the diverse stories of Essex County, Massachusetts residents, free and unfree, during the American Revolutionary period.

Please call 978-462-2634 for more information.

Please see accessibility considerations here. There are no bathrooms on site. We encourage participants to bring a pillow or soft pad to sit on.

Parking is available along Old Portsmouth Road, at the Sparhawk School, or at Stop and Shop.