St. Peter's Episcopal Church Complex
Also known as: Church of Saints Peter and John Complex
Why it's listed
Saints Peter and John, historically St. Peter's Episcopal Church, occupies a corner of West Genesee and James Streets in Auburn, New York. The limestone Gothic Revival church was built from 1868 to 1870 to designs by English-born architect Henry Dudley. It has a long clerestoried nave with side aisles, a transept, a chancel, and an offset bell tower topped by a slender spire. Stained glass from 1870 fills the rose window and aisle windows. The complex also includes a limestone parish house of about 1930 by William Beardsley and two burial plots. One plot holds Governor Enos T. Throop. The cemetery east of the church contains early nineteenth-century graves of Auburn settlers. The church is the parish's third building on a site first used for a frame church around 1812. It was listed for its architecture, which follows Ecclesiological principles of English-inspired design adapted to American congregations, and for its link to Auburn's growth and the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is a distinctive example of Gothic Revival ecclesiastical architecture in central New York, reflecting New York Ecclesiological Society principles and the work of architect Henry Dudley. It is also significant for its ties to Auburn's settlement and growth and to the expansion of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York. The site holds the parish's third building, on the ground of its original 1812 church, and a burial plot containing Governor Enos T. Throop.
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 01001508, listed January 24, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 169 Genesee St., Auburn |
|---|---|
| County | Cayuga County |
| Listed | January 24, 2002 |
| Reference number | 01001508 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | circa 1812-1930 |
| Architect / builder | Dudley, Henry: architect, Saint Peters; Beardsley, William: architect, Parish House |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century: Gothic Revival; Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Late Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current function is still religious facility and cemetery; the form reports a high degree of integrity. |
| Acreage | 1.8 |
| Coordinates | 42.92987, -76.57121 (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 01001508.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7591379
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.