Zion Memorial Chapel
Also known as: St. Nicholas-on-the-Hudson
Why it's listed
Zion Memorial Chapel, now known as St. Nicholas-on-the-Hudson, is a wood-frame church built in 1902 at 37 Point Street in New Hamburg, on a terrace above the Hudson River. Designed by Edward Lansing Satterlee and built by William O'Rourke of Wappingers Falls, it has brown stained shingle siding, a steep slate roof with cross gables, a small pyramidal bell tower, and Gothic-arched windows with leaded glass. Its eaves flare, and bracing on the entrance porch shows Stick style influence. Inside, plastered walls, original pews and period furnishings survive. The chapel was listed as a late example of Victorian Gothic church design and as one of the few architect-designed buildings in the area. It began as a dependent chapel of Zion Episcopal Church in Wappingers Falls, and was named in memory of President William McKinley after his assassination. It remains an active church and a local landmark.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the chapel is a distinguished rural church in a late interpretation of Victorian Gothic, mixing Stick and Shingle style elements, with an intact interior. It is one of very few architect-designed buildings in the New Hamburg area. It is also a landmark whose dependence on the larger Zion Church in Wappingers Falls reflects the hamlet's social and economic ties.
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 87000119, listed February 27, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 37 Point St., New Hamburg |
|---|---|
| County | Dutchess County |
| Listed | February 27, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000119 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect Edward Lansing Satterlee; contractor William O'Rourke of Wappingers Falls |
| Architectural style | Victorian Gothic, with Stick and Shingle style elements |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a church (St. Nicholas-on-the-Hudson); condition listed as good, with the interior described as completely intact. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.58851, -73.94946 (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 87000119.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8072547
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.