Burmese Diaspora Christians Purchase Birthplace of Missionary Adoniram Judson

A coalition of Burmese diaspora Christians has successfully purchased the historic Old Parsonage in Malden, Massachusetts, the birthplace of 19th-century Baptist missionary Adoniram Judson. The property, built in 1725, holds significant historical value as both the childhood home of the man who introduced Christianity to Burma and a former stop on the Underground Railroad. For decades, the site had been in private hands, limiting public access to the location.

The effort to acquire the home began in 2023 when pastors Arthur Zawwynn Chen and Maung Maung Htwe initiated a fundraising campaign among Burmese churches. After spotting a 'for sale' sign in July 2024, the group formed the Adoniram Judson Heritage Foundation to coordinate the purchase. Supporters view the acquisition as a way to preserve the legacy of the missionary they consider the spiritual father of their faith in Myanmar. The foundation plans to utilize the site to share the history of Judson’s mission and the story of the Burmese Christian community.