Its current church building, completed in 1969, is a major local example of Brutalist architecture, designed by John M. Johansen.

In the 19th century, the church and its parishioners served as part of the Underground Railroad, and were active in protesting and supporting the Africans of La Amistad who were imprisoned in New Haven.

In the 1950s, the city embarked on an urban renewal project in the area, which included a major public space in the block bounded by Dixwell Avenue, Foote, Admiral, and Ashmun Streets.

The new church building was to be one of the anchors of this development, and was ultimately the only major element of the redevelopment to be built beyond the plaza space.

It is connected to the street and the plaza by pedestrian bridges, which provide entry into the main level of the building.

The radiating elements have split-concrete sidewalls of varying heights, with two-story window bays at the ends.