Burmese Christians Establish Foundation to Purchase Birthplace of Missionary Adoniram Judson

Arthur Zawwynn Chen, a Chinese Burmese pastor from Yangon, Myanmar, has long dreamed of owning the Old Parsonage in Malden, Massachusetts, the birthplace of Baptist missionary Adoniram Judson. For decades, diaspora Burmese Christians have visited the 18th-century house, snapping photos in its yard before returning to their cars. The structure, built in 1725 and considered the oldest in Malden, has a rich history. It once housed pastors of First Church in Malden before being sold in 1845 to abolitionist George H. Wilson, who used it as a stop on the Underground Railroad. The American Baptist Foreign Mission Society later purchased the building to house missionaries on furlough.

By 1979, the house had been sold to private owners, limiting public access. While the city allowed the owners to remove the plaque commemorating Judson’s birthplace, they could not remove the rock anchoring it. This left the house with a historical marker but no public access. Chen, who moved to Boston in 1993 to study theology at Boston University, has lived within several miles of the house for over three decades. He and other Burmese Christians have long hoped to own the property to share their faith story.

In 2023, during a conference of Burmese churches in the area, Maung Maung Htwe, pastor of Overseas Burmese Christian Fellowship and Chen’s close friend, called for an offering to raise funds for the house. The group collected about $3,000. Though the house wasn’t for sale at the time, Chen reflects on that moment as preparation by the Holy Spirit. A year later, in July 2024, Chen spotted a sign indicating the house would soon be for sale. He quickly contacted Maung and other leaders, spreading the word to Burmese-diaspora churches across the country.

The group began gathering online to discuss purchasing the house. This initial meeting became the foundation for the Adoniram Judson Heritage Foundation (AJHF). The foundation’s goal is to preserve the house as a symbol of Judson’s legacy and the Burmese Christian community’s connection to their spiritual heritage. The purchase represents more than a historical milestone; it is a testament to the enduring impact of Judson’s mission and the faith of those who followed.

The story of the Old Parsonage reflects the deep ties between Burmese Christians and their historical roots. It also highlights the role of diaspora communities in preserving and honoring their heritage. As the AJHF moves forward, the house stands as a reminder of the power of faith to transcend borders and generations. In this way, the house becomes a place where the past and present converge, echoing the call to love mercy and walk humbly with God, as Micah 6:8 reminds us.

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