Reverend James Allen

Reverend James Allen was the Congregationalist pastor of First Church in Boston from 1668 to 1710. The church is now located on 66 Marlborough Street.

Allen was born in Hampshire, England in 1632 to the town’s minister. He graduated from Emmanuel College (BA) and Oxford University (Masters) and held religious and academic posts in Bermuda, England, Suriname, Barbados, and Boston. In Boston he served as reverend for the First Church of Boston; he was first admitted to the church in 1664. The Congregationalist Church was unique, since its heritage in England, for allowing full members to vote for their minister, rather than have one be appointed by a bishop. In 1667 a majority vote allowed Allen to become a “teaching officer amongst us,” essentially another title for Reverend. In church records he is later called “Reverend,” and church meetings were sometimes held at Allen’s home because of his title. His wife, Sarah Allen, was admitted to the church in 1685. In 1687, the Church unanimously voted for a resolution to draft an address to send to “his Majestie” to thank him for protecting their freedom of conscience and property. Another unanimous resolution that year called for “a Constant gathering for the use of the sacrament on Sacrament days.” Allen’s son, James Allen, Jr., was admitted to the First Church in 1692. 

Allen was thrice-married, and had six children, though not all survived to adulthood. 

He is interred in the Eben Wells Family Tomb in Boston’s Granary Burying Ground.