Sennett Federated Church and Parsonage
Why it's listed
In the village of Sennett, a Greek Revival church and its neighboring parsonage record both local building skill and antislavery action. The church was contracted in April 1848 for $3,269 and built by Edward Munson and James M. Servis for the Congregational society. It is a frame building on a stone foundation, with two fluted Doric columns, pilasters, a recessed doorway and a parapet supporting the tower. The parsonage dates to about 1818 and was later enlarged into a gable-and-wing house. Before the Civil War, the Congregational and Baptist congregations passed resolutions against slavery. Pastor Charles Anderson and his wife Elizabeth hosted freedom seekers in the parsonage. Harriet Eglin, who arrived in 1856, wrote three letters from the Anderson home to William Still in Philadelphia, and Still published them. Both buildings keep their original locations and uses. Changes include twentieth-century stained glass, a fellowship hall expansion in 1948-49, and vinyl siding added in the 1990s.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church and parsonage are tied to abolitionism and the Underground Railroad in central New York under Criterion A. The Congregational and Baptist congregations passed antislavery resolutions, and the parsonage sheltered freedom seekers, including Harriet Eglin. Under Criterion C, the church is a fine local example of high-style Greek Revival architecture.
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 05001130, listed October 5, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 777 Weedsport-Sennett Rd., Sennett |
|---|---|
| County | Cayuga County |
| Listed | October 5, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05001130 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1848 - 1870 |
| Architect / builder | Edward Munson/James M. Servis |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century: Greek Revival Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Black, Social History, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Church and parsonage retain their original locations and functions; the church is still occupied by the Sennett Federated Church and the parsonage remains a single family dwelling. Vinyl siding was added over the original clapboards in the 1990s. |
| Acreage | 5.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.99601, -76.53321 (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 05001130.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7450863
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.