First Presbyterian Church Rectory
Why it's listed
This five-bay brick house at 98 Cannon Street in Poughkeepsie was built as a rectory for the First Presbyterian Church, probably around 1857. The date rests on an 1857 city map that shows the house with its front porch and rear wing, although a minister is listed at the address as early as 1845. The church, organized in Poughkeepsie in 1749, had built a new sanctuary just east of the site in 1851, and the rectory may have followed that larger project. The building rises two and a half stories above a raised basement and has a bellcast mansard roof with arched dormers, a bracketed cornice, stone lintels and sills, and a flat-roofed porch with eight columns and a spindled balustrade. Inside, double parlor doors, chandeliers, marble fireplaces and stained glass windows give it period character. It is regarded as one of the most accomplished Second Empire residences in the city, and it remains in residential use in good condition.
Significance in brief: The inventory form describes it as one of the most accomplished Second Empire residences in Poughkeepsie. It cites distinctive stylistic features and period interior details such as double parlor doors, chandeliers, marble fireplaces and stained glass windows. Its date is supported by an 1857 city map showing the house's shape, front porch and rear wing.
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 82001137, listed November 26, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 98 Cannon St., Poughkeepsie |
|---|---|
| County | Dutchess County |
| Listed | November 26, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001137 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a residence, as originally; condition rated good, with asphalt roofing added to the mansard roof. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.70132, -73.92491 (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 82001137.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5453664
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.