Erste Deutsche Evangelische Kirche
Also known as: First United Church of Christ
Why it's listed
Located on the eastern edge of Elmira's central business district, this brick church and its attached former parsonage occupy most of a level city lot at 160 Madison Avenue. The church is built in the Rhenish Romanesque style, with a square bell tower and narthex, a round stair turret, large round-arched windows with abstract stained glass, and an auditorium-style sanctuary organized around a central pulpit and a large organ niche. The congregation began in 1867 as a mission to Elmira's Germans, organized formally in 1874, and built this church in 1898-1899 in the heart of the city's German east side. Its design reflects both German heritage and Reformed worship, which emphasized preaching. The architect has not been identified, though Otis Dockstader is suggested as a possibility. The building is considered a rare example of its style and a reminder of Elmira's once large German-American population. The former parsonage is an American Foursquare house.
Significance in brief: The church is argued to be significant under Criterion C as a distinctive and largely intact example of Rhenish Romanesque church architecture in Elmira. It is also significant under Criterion A for its link to Elmira's large German immigrant community on the city's east side. Its design and interior layout reflect the congregation's German heritage and Reformed/Calvinist worship.
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 07001121, listed October 31, 2007. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 160 Madison Ave., Elmira |
|---|---|
| County | Chemung County |
| Listed | October 31, 2007 |
| Reference number | 07001121 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1898-ca. 1950 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival (form classification); described in the text as Rhenish Romanesque |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a church; the former parsonage currently provides classroom and office space. |
| Acreage | 0.6 |
| Coordinates | 42.09079, -76.79851 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 07001121.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5395869
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.