Visitors Program
Welcome to United First Parish Church
The Church of the Presidents
Quincy, Massachusetts, is proud to be distinguished as the birthplace lifetime home, and final resting place of the second and sixth Presidents of the United States, who each played crucial roles in securing our nation's independence and making our democracy strong. The tombs of John Adams and John Quincy Adams, alongside those of First Ladies Abigail Adams, and Louisa Catherine Adams, rest within the crypt at United First Parish Church, which was their place of family worship.
The Church of the Presidents is more than a home for its congregation. It is a centerpiece of the City. It is a symbol of our freedom. While the Church of the Presidents has a cooperative arrangement with the Adams National Historic Park to open the crypt and the church building to visitors, because we are an active congregation we receive no money whatsoever from the Federal Government.
In 2018, the Church and presidential crypts were visited by 10.950 visitors, including folks from all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and 42 countries around the world!
We first opened to visit by the public in 1976, the Bicentennial Year. Until that time visits to the crypts were by appointment only. The presidential crypts were originally sealed, and in 1903 the granite door was replaced by the current gate.
Each year, the birthdays of each president are marked by a ceremonial wreath laying presented on behalf of the current sitting president. These ceremonies started 52 years ago during the presidency of Lyndon Johnson, with ten United States presidents having been represented at the ceremonies. The U.S. Navy serves as the official representative of the President and provides both an honor guard and musicians from the Navy band for the ceremonies each year.
Click here to see John Quincy Adams wreath laying ceremony which took place on July 12, 2021.
Visiting the Church of the Presidents
Daily Tours: The History and Visitors Program will open for the 2021 season on July 1. We will continue to evaluate our ability to provide tours in a Coronavirus-safe manner.
Tour Times: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Sundays: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Wednesdays: closed.
We are wheelchair accessible! We have a ramp and automatic door opening system that allows folks to safely enter our building. We have an elevator available for visitors to allow our differently-abled visitors to reach all levels of the building, including our crypts. We also have an ADA-accessible restroom available to all visitors. We have a wheelchair available for use on-site if you find yourself in need.
COVID-19: In keeping with the church’s mission of being inclusive and its commitment to keeping everyone safe, COVID safety protocols will continue to remain in place during the 2021 tour season. All guests and docents will be asked to wear face masks during the tour and guests will be encouraged to maintain social distance from those not in their pod. In addition, the tour will flow one way through the building to further encourage social distancing and hand sanitizer will be provided at both the entrance and exit of the tour.
For those who aren't able to join us onsite, we invite you to view our virtual tour of the church and the crypt until you are able to join us in person once again.
Supporting the Church of the Presidents
Operating the Visitor Program is a public service, and as such we ask our visitors to give a donation in support of the program rather than charging a formal admission fee. The generosity of our visitors has helped us to see Adams crypt is open to visitors and tourists from across the country and around the world for the last 41 years.
Therefore, the Church of the Presidents is asking for your help with the maintenance and care of this historic treasure. The Adams and their generation pledged their lives and sacred honor so that we might enjoy independence and liberty today. Your tax-deductible contribution is important. We are a 501[c][3] tax-exempt organization and, in fact your gift may be eligible as a matching gift from your employer.
