This data was last updated on 28 August 2015.
Address: 88 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-523-7320
Website: http://www.tremonttemple.com
History: In 1839, Tremont Temple Baptist Church was established by a group of men who wanted to form a church that would not charge rent for the use of its pews, a common practice that excluded many people from attending. Tremont Temple was founded as "a church with free seats where everyone, rich or poor, black or white, should be on the same religious level," and as "the Sabbath home for the stranger and the traveler." Its present building, situated in the heart of downtown Boston, was designed by C. H. Blackwell and completed in 1894. The church has a large second-floor sanctuary with plush seats. Tremont Temple has had a long ministry of inspirational music and preaching. The pulpit has been occupied by preachers and evangelists such as Dwight Moody, Evangeline Booth, Billy Sunday, Gypsy Smith, and Billy Graham. On his last visit to the U.S., Charles Dickens gave one of his famous readings at Tremont Temple, and Abraham Lincoln gave an address here before he was elected President.
Description: The congregation of Tremont Temple today is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, with "an active and Christ-centered ministry." Located a few blocks from the Park Street T stop, the church attracts a diverse congregation, and Bible teaching, missions, fellowship, and service are all vital parts of church life. The church is seven floors that include a youth lounge on the fifth floor and office space rented out by private organizations. The church includes the main sanctuary, Converse Hall, on the second story as well as other smaller meeting spaces. The church is home to several other congregations, including the Ethiopian Evangelical Church,Vida Real, and Iglesia Bautista Hispano-Americana. These congregations do not meet in the main sanctuary, but instead meet in Lauramer Hall. In previous years, the church also housed a Cambodian fellowship and the New Covenant Presbyterian Church, Korean. The church is also home to the Boston Christian Counseling Center, a training and service center accredited by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.
Activities and Schedule: On Wednesday there are services and Bible studies, and on Sunday there are services as well as adult and children’s Bible classes. The radio ministry is also a large part of the church, broadcasting “Definition” on WEZE-AM (590) as well as Worship Service on WROL-AM (950). Please see the Tremont Temple Baptist Church's website for updated information about services and events. Youth ministry is an important part of church life. The entire fifth floor of the church is a Youth Lounge, where there are game rooms and where youth Bible classes are held on Sundays. Children have their own bulletin that is similar to the adult bulletin. The church also hosts a children’s camp every summer called “Tremont Kids in the Park,” which provides an opportunity for kids to participate in evangelistic programs.
Outreach: The Tremont Temple Baptist Church sponsors missionaries across the world, in countries ranging from Peru to Tanzania. The Church’s ministries in Boston include the Men’s Ministry, the College and Career Ministry, the Youth Ministry, New England Prison Ministries, and the Music Ministry. Furthermore, the church holds a Life Boat Fellowship every Wednesday in Currie Chapel for those in need of support beyond regular services.