Hamilton Union Church Rectory
Why it's listed
Built in 1857 as a parsonage for the Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church, this wood-frame house on Western Turnpike in Guilderland remains a clear example of Greek Revival design. Its front is three bays wide, with Doric pilasters between the bays, a recessed classic doorway with sidelights and transoms, six-over-six windows on the first floor and smaller three-over-six windows above. A one-story ell extends from the east side, and the foundation is stone. The building is regarded as the best example of temple-style design in the town, adapting the form of a classic Greek temple to a modest country residence, a popular approach in the mid-nineteenth century. Its first resident pastor, Rev. W. Fothingham, wrote histories of Montgomery and Fulton Counties. Once part of the hamlet of Hamiltonville, the house sits back from heavily traveled U.S. Route 20 and has kept its original site and largely unaltered interior and exterior despite surrounding suburban development. It is now used as a residence.
Significance in brief: It is described as an excellent, surviving Greek Revival design and the best example of "temple" design in the town. It was the home of the first pastor, Rev. W. Fothingham, who wrote the histories of Montgomery and Fulton Counties. It survives substantially intact, inside and out, amid modern suburban development.
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 82001068, listed November 10, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2267 Western Tpk., Guilderland |
|---|---|
| County | Albany County |
| Listed | November 10, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001068 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a residence; condition rated good, with deterioration noted as a threat on the inventory form. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.70273, -73.90706 (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 82001068.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5645219
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.