06/08/2026
Margaret Coffin was a congregant at Old North Church and the owner of Pew 1. In 1838, Coffin started using her personal money to distribute Books of Common Prayer, the prayer book used by Anglicans and other Episcopal churches, to those in need so they could participate in religious services. Historians estimate that she gave away close to 3,000 books!
Margaret Coffin died in 1855, and one year later, the Margaret Coffin Prayer Book Society was formed using money left in her estate. The society continues to provide Prayer Books and hymnals to missions and institutions.