Trinity Episcopal Church
Why it's listed
Trinity Episcopal Church sits on a small lot on the south side of Route 23 in Ashland, Greene County. Built in 1879 to replace an earlier church demolished in 1878, it is a three-by-three bay wood frame building with vertical board-and-batten siding, a cut stone foundation and a steep gabled roof. A three-story corner bell tower with a tall octagonal shingled spire anchors the north facade, and wood buttresses and lancet windows with diamond-paned stained glass define the walls. Inside, the nave has a center aisle, narrow beaded board ceiling, arched trusses, carved wooden pews and a small pipe organ dating from construction. A parish hall wing was added at the rear in 1957, matching the original roof pitch and siding. The church was listed for its architecture. It represents the small Gothic Revival board-and-batten churches popularized by Richard Upjohn, and it is noted as a rare surviving example of the type in the Catskill Region. The congregation itself dates to 1799.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is a distinguished example of the board-and-batten Gothic Revival churches built in small New York towns in the mid-nineteenth century. It reflects the influence of Richard Upjohn and R.M. Upjohn, although its architect is unknown. It retains a high degree of integrity and is described as a rare example of the type in the Catskill Region.
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 96001438, listed December 6, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NY 23, SW of jct. with Co. Rd. 19, Ashland |
|---|---|
| County | Greene County |
| Listed | December 6, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96001438 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1879 |
| Architect / builder | Mr. Stitts, Builder |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century / Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a religious property; a 1957 parish hall wing is attached to the rear. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.29826, -74.29780 (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 96001438.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7842731
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.