Christ Episcopal Church
Also known as: Christ Church; Christ Church Wellsburg
Why it's listed
Christ Episcopal Church is a small wood-frame Gothic Revival church on Main Street in Wellsburg, Chemung County, New York. Completed in 1869 to a design by Binghamton architect Isaac O. Perry, and built by local resident George W. Fishler, it has asymmetrical massing, a tall engaged corner tower with an octagonal spire, triangular-arched openings, and a pendant-style molding along the cornice. Inside are exposed trusses, plaster walls above paneled wainscoting, stenciling added in the 1920s, and some original furnishings. A 1922 choir room contributes to the property, while a 1959 parish hall does not. The church grew from Episcopal services begun in 1866 and reflects the denomination's expansion across Central New York in the mid-nineteenth century. It is valued as a representative Gothic Revival church, as the work of Perry, and for its place in the area's religious and settlement history. It is now the oldest church building in Wellsburg.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is a representative mid-nineteenth century Gothic Revival Episcopal church and the work of Binghamton architect Isaac O. Perry (Criterion C). It also documents the spread of the Episcopal Church through Central New York communities along developing transportation corridors (Criterion A, religion and settlement). It is the oldest church building in Wellsburg.
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 00000879, listed August 2, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 117 Main St., Wellsburg |
|---|---|
| County | Chemung County |
| Listed | August 2, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00000879 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1869-ca. 1940s |
| Architect / builder | Isaac O. Perry, architect; George W. Fishler, Builder |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century - Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a religious facility; a 1922 choir room addition contributes, while a 1959 parish hall addition does not. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.01499, -76.72728 (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 00000879.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5108891
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.