Twelfth Baptist Church

Built in 1873, the Gothic Revival church at 160 Warren Street in Roxbury is believed to have hosted several congregations and the “Advent Christian Publication Society”, a bookseller, publisher, printer and stationer for the American Advent Mission Society. It is now home to the Twelfth Baptist Church (TBC) which moved there in 1957.

Founded in 1840, TBC is the oldest direct descendent of the African Baptist Church, which was established in Boston in 1805. TBC became a significant anti-slavery meetinghouse and spiritual haven for free blacks and fugitive slaves and has been an active participant in the civil rights movements and current social justice community institution. TBC forged a lasting connection with Martin Luther King Jr. when MLK Jr. attended the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Boston University for his doctorate in 1951. Reverend Dr. William H. Hester, longtime pastor of TBC, was a mentor of MLK Jr. who became a member and preached regularly at TBC whenever he visited Boston, considering it his “Boston home church.”

A successful recipient of the Community Preservation Act funds, this preservation project returned the Gothic Revival building to its former historic glory, restoring the original facade which had been covered in Permastone and stucco in 1957. After conducting onsite historic research of existing materials and identifying missing elements, this project saw the removal of failing materials and uncovered the original brick and deteriorated clapboard wood siding. Historically accurate wood siding was installed, remaining original trim was restored, and lost ornamental details in the windows, trim, and tower were replicated to revive the character of this 19th century building.

The restoration of The Twelfth Baptist Church supports both the physical preservation of the building and the historical significance of this congregation as a champion of social justice, from its founding in 1840 as an anti-slavery meetinghouse to the current leadership of social engagement, ministry and community.

Owner/Developer of Project/Major Tenant(s)
Twelfth Baptist Church
 

Architect    
Wessling Architects
 

General Contractor    
J.L. Dunn & Company

Photographer    
Flaunt Boston