Rectory, Catholic Church of the Assumption
Also known as: Old Catholic Rectory
Why it's listed
Built in 1884 beside Ferndale's Catholic Church of the Assumption, this two-story rectory housed the local parish priests for roughly eighty years. Its tall proportions, steep hipped roof, and stacked two-story bays carry Stick and Eastlake ornamentation, including cutout appliques, scroll-shaped brackets, stained glass panes, and a porch frieze of small squares. A one-story library with a flat roof was added around 1900 and tied to the main house through the porch extension and brackets. The rectory served immigrants from Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, and Portugal. In the early 1960s the parish proposed demolition, and residents protested, even writing to the Pope. The building was instead moved in 1964 to Ocean Avenue, where it was restored inside and out and surrounded by formal gardens. It was listed for its architecture and its place in Ferndale's heritage and Catholic community. The structure is redwood with shiplap siding.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the rectory is a beautifully preserved example of Queen Anne/Eastlake architecture with Stick and Eastlake ornamentation. It was also identified as a key building when Ferndale was designated a State Historical Landmark in 1975. It is culturally important as the home of the local Catholic parish's priests for about eighty years.
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 82002183, listed February 11, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 563 Ocean Ave., Ferndale |
|---|---|
| County | Humboldt County |
| Listed | February 11, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002183 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1884 |
| Architect / builder | George F. Costerisa |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne/Eastlake (with Stick ornamentation) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, altered by its 1964 move, and restored; now occupied as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.57473, -124.26270 (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 82002183.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7303229
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.