Book Reviewed: And Plead for The Rights of All: Old South Church in Boston 1669 – 1969 by Ola Elizabeth Winslow

The Old Church of Boston and its making of the American revolution Ola Elizabeth Winslow is an archivist, historian, and educator whose work in this book reflects on the preservation of the history of the Old Church in Boston, the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1669. It played a strong role in colonial America especially the American Revolution and the abolitionist movement. The author presents her work in a flawless readable manner documenting the history of the church that upheld the beliefs of Calvinism and puritan values that sought to reform the Anglican church (Church of England) in the American colony. Puritans were influenced by the theology of John Calvin who preached in the concept of predestination, the idea that God has already determined who will be saved and who will be damned. This belief in predestination shaped their understanding of salvation. The church sermons and the discussion often reflected on values and themes such as God's sovereignty, human sinfulness, the importance of living a righteous and austere life. The Puritan influence waned as Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, and Quakers settled in the colonies of New England, and new ideas began to shape American society. However, their legacy continues to influence American culture where their ideals of education, community, patriotism, and freedom from the English Empire. The Old South Church was founded by the dissenters from the First Church which did not permit democratic and congregational approach to church governance. At present, the Old South Church is not at the same spot as the original 1669 building, which was located at the corner of Washington and Milk Streets. After it was demolished in 1872, the current structure at the intersection of Dartmouth Street and Boylston Street of Boston was built between 1872 and 1875.