Follen Community Church
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Built in 1840-41 on Massachusetts Avenue in East Lexington, this eight-sided wooden church was designed by its own minister, Charles Follen. A German refugee and outspoken abolitionist, Follen lost his Harvard professorship over his views and then led the Religious Society of East Lexington, formed in 1833. The congregation raised about $1,200 at a fair in 1839, broke ground on July 4, 1840, and held its dedication in January 1841, though Follen died in a steamship explosion while returning to attend. The clapboard building has pointed arched windows and a tall steeple, and its heavy chestnut-rafter ceiling hangs from the roof apex on a single iron rod. A chancel was added after an 1857 lightning fire, a clock in 1914, and a rear school addition in 1955. It is the town's only octagonal structure and its oldest surviving church building, and the congregation remains active.
Significance in brief: It was the first permanent home of the Religious Society of East Lexington and is the only octagonal structure in the town. It is also described as the oldest church building still standing in Lexington. It is tied to Follen, a German-born abolitionist who lost his Harvard post over his views.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 76000242, listed April 30, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 755 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | April 30, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76000242 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific dates 1840-41) |
| Architect / builder | Reverend Charles Follen |
| Architectural style | Gothic influence (pointed arched windows); Greek Revival elements noted in the register write-up |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in good condition; still used as a church, with a 1955 rear addition for church school and meeting space. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 42.42985, -71.20708 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 76000242.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5464636
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.