Located at 217 Dixwell Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut, the Dixwell Avenue Congregational United Church of Christ offers a fascinating mix of rich African-American heritage and modern design. Founded in 1820 by a white man named Simeon Jocelyn and 24 free African Americans as the African Ecclesiastical Society, the congregation has long played a vital role in local history. In the 19th century, parishioners served on the Underground Railroad and actively protested in support of the imprisoned Africans of La Amistad.
Today, you can visit its striking current building, completed in 1969 as part of an urban renewal project and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018. Designed by architect John M. Johansen, the structure stands as a major local example of Brutalist architecture.
As you explore the exterior, you will notice its sunken plaza setting and pedestrian entry bridges. The church features a roughly circular central lantern that acts as a light well for the main sanctuary, surrounded by radiating split-concrete sidewalls with two-story window bays. These outer elements house offices, classrooms, and meeting spaces, making it a unique historic and architectural landmark to admire in New Haven.
What to see at Dixwell Avenue Congregational United Church of Christ
- Historic African-American church congregation founded in 1820
- 1969 Brutalist architecture designed by John M. Johansen
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018
- Distinctive sunken setting accessed by pedestrian entry bridges
- Central light-well lantern with radiating split-concrete walls
Visiting tips
Walk along the pedestrian bridges that connect the street and plaza to entry points on the main level for the best views of the unique Brutalist structure.
How long: 1 hour · Best time: Daylight hours
How to get there & what’s nearby
Dixwell Avenue Congregational United Church of Christ is easy to reach on New Haven’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Yale University Art Gallery and Harkness Tower. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our New Haven travel guide.
See the full New Haven travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.