God’s Legacy of Transformation and D.L Moody
The D. L. Moody Center’s Northfield property offers up some of the most stunning natural, rural scenery in the Northeast. D. L. Moody’s favorite spot on Round Top, for example, has views that overlook the Connecticut River and peer deeply into the mountains of Vermont. Many find their experience at Round Top inspires a mood of intense peace, reflection, and praise.
Beyond the natural scenery, the Moody Center is home to several historic buildings, including the 2,300-seat auditorium D.L. Moody commissioned to hold summer conferences. The property is more than stunning. It is historic and influential. As the 1892 Greenfield Gazette centennial edition describes:
“The building up at Northfield, within the last twelve years, of schools devoted to the Christian education of girls and boys is justly regarded as one of the most enduring results of the fruitful life of the town’s most distinguished son, D.L. Moody. It is impossible to view these purely in their local significance, for they belong to the broad world of cultivating and Christianizing influences. They have carried the name of Northfield over the seas and have given to it the association of great and noble usefulness. More than this, they have given an upward turn, intellectually and spiritually, to the lives of hundreds of young people drawn here from all corners of the world.”
When you visit the Moody Center, you are tapping into a historic past with deeply religious roots. You will learn about the work of God through D.L. Moody, a man from Northfield.
The Sites at Moody Center
The Birthplace of Dwight Moody
The historic birthplace of D.L. Moody is located on the Moody Center campus. The humble home of D.L. Moody’s mother and father forged the character of D.L. Moody. After his father’s death, the Moody family struggled to make ends meet. Moody worked in and around Northfield until he was 17, at which time he went to work for his uncle near Boston. It was in Boston that D.L. Moody was introduced to Christ.
Revell Hall
This was the first building constructed for Northfield Seminary, a girls’ Christian school started by D.L. Moody. Revell Hall was named after Moody’s brother-in-law, Fleming H. Revell. Built in 1879, the hall was originally used for classroom and dormitory space and was eventually turned into administrative offices. Revell Hall is being converted into accommodations for Moody Center visitors.
The Homestead
Upon relocating back to Northfield from Chicago, D.L. Moody purchased the Homestead, where he and his wife lived for the rest of their lives. The Homestead was more than just a home. The Moodys were hospitable, and it was not uncommon for Mr. Moody to hold Bible studies in his dining room with a crowd of onlookers listening in through the windows from outside.
The Doll House
This small structure was not built by D.L. Moody, but is representative of one of Moody’s main passions, children. The Doll House was built for Moody’s grandchildren and offered a safe place for them to play.
Betsey Moody Cottage
Informally called “Betsey” by generations of Northfield girls, the Betsey Moody Cottage was named after D.L. Moody’s mother. It served as Northfield’s first infirmary. Repurposed in the mid-1970s, it’s a quaint building worthy of exploration. Betsey Moody Cottage is being remodeled to accommodate Moody Center guests.
The Auditorium
The breathtaking 2,300-seat auditorium became the site for Moody’s summer conferences. This historic space was built with perfect acoustics and has been so well maintained that it continues to be used for concerts and events.
Martyrs Grove
Mr. Moody was influential in inspiring men and women to go into the mission field. Martyrs Grove was planted as a memorial to 26 women who were involved in Christian ministries of various sorts. The grove stands as a reminder of the faithful, yet flawed Christians worldwide who have dedicated themselves to serving Jesus, as well as the significant role women have played in the spreading of the gospel worldwide.
Learn more about Witness Grove and plans to enhance and restore this site.
Round Top
D.L. Moody’s favorite location was Round Top, so much so that he chose it as the final resting place for himself and his wife Emma. Round Top served as a place of reflection and discernment for those who attended Moody’s summer conferences—as it does today. Many men and women have realized the direction God was leading them during time spent there.
Activities & events
Make your trip to Northfield even more special by enjoying a variety of campus activities at the Moody Center. With a continuous lineup of uplifting and entertaining events, you’re sure to find an activity to inspire you. From musical performances to traveling speakers, there are many ways to enjoy fellowship and networking among other members of the Moody community while on campus. Find and enroll in the upcoming events that inspire you.