First Presbyterian Church
Why it's listed
Built in 1878 on Church Street in Valatie, this brick church trimmed with limestone blends High Victorian Gothic and Stick Style details. Three steep gable roofs covered in polychrome slate, an engaged brick tower with an open belfry, pointed arched windows, and a two-story wooden porte cochere give it a lively, picturesque profile. Inside, ash and black walnut finishes, exposed trusses with carved gargoyles on the hammer beam ends, and stained glass windows remain largely as originally furnished. The Albany firm of Ogden & Wright designed it, brought in through building committee member Charles Housman, a New York City financier. The congregation dates to 1835, and the building reflects the wealth Valatie gained from its water-powered mills and cotton textile production. It is regarded as the most fully developed example of its style in the area and as one of few surviving Ogden & Wright works outside Albany. An original signed watercolor drawing aids its upkeep.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an outstanding example of picturesque eclectic design combining High Victorian Gothic and Stick Style elements. Its decorated surfaces and craftsmanship reflect Valatie's past prosperity as a milling center. It is also one of the few identified works by Ogden & Wright that survives outside Albany.
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 79001574, listed September 7, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Church St., Valatie |
|---|---|
| County | Columbia County |
| Listed | September 7, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79001574 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Architect: Ogden & Wright |
| Architectural style | High Victorian Gothic combined with Stick Style elements |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied, in good condition and used for religious purposes; described as well maintained, with a few sensitive renovations and retention of most original sanctuary furnishings. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 42.41536, -73.67628 (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 79001574.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5453647
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.