Methodist Episcopal Society of Tyringham
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
Union Church and its neighboring parsonage sit on a hill beside Main Road just south of the center of Tyringham. The church, built by Reformed Methodists in 1844, is a rectangular wood-frame building on a dressed-marble foundation, with a four-column Ionic portico, a deep dentilled entablature, tall double-hung windows and a two-stage square tower. Inside are box pews and a sanctuary lit by eight large windows. The parsonage, a one-and-a-half-story Greek Revival house from about 1842-1844, stands across Church Road. A carriage barn and a modern sign are counted as non-contributing. The property was listed for its architecture and for its role in village life. It is the only surviving church of the five built in Tyringham, it reflects the Greek Revival style and the religious revival of 1843-1844, and its basement hosted town meetings from 1848 until 1907, along with suppers, Sunday School and other community events.
Significance in brief: The church is a well-preserved example of Greek Revival architecture, built during the religious revival of 1843-1844 and little altered since. It has also been the religious, social and political center of the village. Town meetings were held in its basement from 1848 to 1907, and it is the only one of Tyringham's five church buildings still standing.
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 00000986, listed August 30, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 128-130 Main Rd., Tyringham |
|---|---|
| County | Berkshire County |
| Listed | August 30, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00000986 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1844-1950 |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century: Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Politics/Government, Religion |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Church still used for worship and community functions; alterations are described as minimal. The barn and sign are noted as non-contributing. |
| Acreage | 1.2 |
| Coordinates | 42.24393, -73.20231 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 00000986.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6823819
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.