Christ Episcopal Church
Why it's listed
Christ Episcopal Church is a small board and batten church built in 1860 on a grassy knoll near Belvidere, in Allegany County. Its rectangular main section has a slate gable roof, a recessed chancel, two side entrances with flared gables, and a belltower over the northwest entrance. Latin crosses mark the gable ends, and the interior is finished in natural wood sheathing. The design came from plans by John Dudley of New York and resembles church designs published by Richard Upjohn. The first Episcopal service in Belvidere was held in 1854, a congregation was organized by 1859, and Bishop DeLancy consecrated the church on September 29, 1860. Construction cost less than $2,000, and there was no pew rent. Its original wood shingles, cut at a local sawmill, were later replaced with slate. The church is valued as an intact example of carpenter Gothic architecture in a rural setting and for its ties to the area's settlement. A cemetery surrounds it.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a fine intact example of mid-19th century rural board and batten church architecture, showing carpenter Gothic design applied to a modest parish building. It also reflects the settlement patterns of the Belvidere area. The church is unusual for being surrounded by its own cemetery.
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 74001218, listed May 17, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Gibson Hill Rd., SW of Rtes. 19 and 408, Belvidere |
|---|---|
| County | Allegany County |
| Listed | May 17, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001218 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1860) |
| Architect / builder | Plans by John Dudley, Esq. of New York |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival (carpenter Gothic, board and batten) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as intact and in good condition although not in regular use; never officially closed and still listed as a Mission in the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 42.25283, -78.07494 (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 74001218.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5108854
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.